Makoti
Miriam Makeba & The Skylarks Lyrics


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Igin madod'iyabulala
Igin madod'iyabulala
Igin madod'iyabulala
Igin madod'ichith'umuzi

Wafik'umakoti ekuseni
Wafik'umakoti edakiwe
Wafik'umakoti ekuseni
Wafik'umakoti edakiwe

Ekhuluma izindaba
Engabuzwanga umuntu
Ekhuluma izindaba
Engabuzwanga umuntu

Iyo, iyo (Igin iyabulala)
Ndanxila mama (Igin ichith'umuzi)
Iyo, iyo (Igin iyabulala)
Ndanxila mama (Igin ichith'umuzi)

Ndanxila (IGin)
Ndalahlekelwa ngumuzi mama (IGin)
Iyo (Iyabulala)

Ndanxila (IGin)
Ndalahlekelwa ngumuzi mama (IGin)
Iyo (Ichith'umuzi)

Igin madod'iyabulala
Igin madod'iyabulala
Igin madod'iyabulala
Igin madod'ichith'umuzi

Wafik'umakoti ekuseni
Wafik'umakoti edakiwe
Wafik'umakoti ekuseni
Wafik'umakoti edakiwe

Ekhuluma izindaba
Engabuzwanga umuntu
Ekhuluma izindaba
Engabuzwanga umuntu

Iyo, iyo (Igin iyabulala)
Ndanxila ma (Igin ichith'umuzi)




Iyo, iyo (Igin iyabulala)
Ndanxila ma (Igin ichith'umuzi)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Miriam Makeba's song 'Makoti' tell the story of a young bride who has just arrived in her new home. The first part of the song describes a group of men, 'madodi', who are causing trouble and killing people in the community. The line 'Igin madod'iyabulala' translates to 'these men are killing', while 'Igin madod'ichith'umuzi' means 'these men are destroying the village'. It is suggested that the bride is afraid of these men and their actions.


The second part of the song focuses on the arrival of the bride, 'Wafik'umakoti'. The song describes her as arriving in the morning (ekuseni) and being carried by a group of people (edakiwe). It is suggested that the bride is being brought into a community where there are already problems, and she is unsure of what she has gotten herself into.


The final part of the song speaks of 'izindaba', which can mean news or stories. The bride is speaking of these stories which have not been heard by anyone else ('engabuzwanga umuntu'). The bride seems to be trying to make sense of her new surroundings, while also being fearful of the men who seem to be causing destruction in her new home.


Overall, the song's lyrics speak to the tensions and dangers that can exist in a community, while also emphasizing the courage and bravery of a new bride trying to make a life for herself. The lyrics are made even more powerful by the haunting melody and rhythm of the music, which is a trademark of Makeba's work.


Line by Line Meaning

Igin madod'iyabulala
Young men are killing each other


Igin madod'ichith'umuzi
Young men are destroying their own homes


Wafik'umakoti ekuseni
She arrived in the morning as a bride


Wafik'umakoti edakiwe
She arrived at a family gathering as a bride


Ekhuluma izindaba
She speaks of news


Engabuzwanga umuntu
That nobody else knows


Iyo, iyo (Igin iyabulala)
Oh, oh (Young men are killing each other)


Ndanxila mama (Igin ichith'umuzi)
Please, let me go mother (Young men destroying their own homes)


Ndanxila (IGin)
Please let me go (young men)


Ndalahlekelwa ngumuzi mama (IGin)
I have been abandoned by my village mother (Young men)


Iyo (Iyabulala)
Oh (Killing each other)


Igin madod'iyabulala
Young men are killing each other


Igin madod'ichith'umuzi
Young men are destroying their own homes


Wafik'umakoti ekuseni
She arrived in the morning as a bride


Wafik'umakoti edakiwe
She arrived at a family gathering as a bride


Ekhuluma izindaba
She speaks of news


Engabuzwanga umuntu
That nobody else knows


Iyo, iyo (Igin iyabulala)
Oh, oh (Young men are killing each other)


Ndanxila ma (Igin ichith'umuzi)
Please, let me go mother (Young men destroying their own homes)


Iyo, iyo (Igin iyabulala)
Oh, oh (Young men are killing each other)


Ndanxila ma (Igin ichith'umuzi)
Please, let me go mother (Young men destroying their own homes)




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

thabo maribane

I wish i was born early. Imagine listening to such mesmerizing music during the 50's

Boz M

Music is just out of this universe ,to think that these girls were a part of an oppressed ppl,just in fact existing,life was horrible during these days...and here we hear joy and freedom...THANK you Zintombi.sibongile you played a massive part in keeping our ppl,your ppl afloat in stormy seas.

Ajagunte

I remember reading somewhere that this was around the time Nelson Mandela met Makeba for the first time and the deviance and determination in her even inspired him. It was no coincidence for the apartheid movement that Mandela went to jail and Makeba to exile a few years after. The resistance kinda stalled for years until Biko came along.

Onasiss Mathebula

Great African music.

nia mushi

Thank you, Asanti!

TONY SIBEKO

do people know about this

Msizi Fakude

Yes. We played our 78 vinyl records on our grandparents' Gramophone. Still loves these oldies. Brings back nostalgia of life at old Moroka( Emasakeni)

Boz M

Like Gold they have to dig and dig to find it..one has to care.

Mbothoma Maduna

IGin

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