While growing up in a tough Johannesburg township, Miriam Makeba first sang in Protestant school choirs. After achieving initial fame with the Manhattan Brothers, Makeba recorded a few singles under her own name before Gallo Records asked her to front a South African girl group loosely patterned after the Andrews Sisters and the McGuire Sisters.
Makeba’s lead vocals have a pure and innocent quality that belies her savvy as a bandleader.
Enhancing the gorgeous vocal harmonies wer some excellent South African jazzmen, most notably the band’s white musical director and talented clarinetist-saxman-pianist Dan Hill, as well as the great South African pennywhistler Spokes Mashiyane, who coaxed as much soul out of his simple instrument as any human could. Like the finest mainstream jazz, this music has a relaxed, spontaneous feel that is a complete joy to hear. It’s easy to understand why these lilting melodies gave hope to blacks living the nightmare of apartheid.
After Makeba left South African in 1959 to attend the Venice film festival, the South African authorities would not allow her to return. Her records were banned from South African radio, and the Skylarks broke up a short while later.
Makoti
Miriam Makeba & The Skylarks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Igin madod'iyabulala
Igin madod'iyabulala
Igin madod'ichith'umuzi
Wafik'umakoti ekuseni
Wafik'umakoti edakiwe
Wafik'umakoti ekuseni
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)
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
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