Mvula
Mokoomba Lyrics

The lyrics to "Mvula" by Mokoomba are primarily sung in Tonga, one of Zambia's major languages. This song is an energetic dance tune, and its lyrics weave together themes of the power and beauty of rain with the experiences and desires of the people who depend on it. The refrain, "Yengo yaye, yengo tate, yengo yaye, njinamilotha mutulo," roughly translates to "Cheers, my friend, cheers, we conquer the rain," with "mutulo" meaning "rain" and "Yengo yaye" and "yengo tate" being forms of greeting and celebration.

The song's title, "Mvula," directly translates to "rain" in Tonga. The lyrics touch on a range of topics related to rain, including its ability to bring life and nourishment to the earth, its capacity for destruction in the form of floods, and the anxiety and anticipation that people feel waiting for it to arrive during dry periods. In the second verse, the words "tushaka byakulya" suggest the hunger and struggle that can come with these periods of drought, with "byakulya" meaning "we are looking for food to eat."

Overall, "Mvula" is a celebration of rain and its ability to sustain life, while also acknowledging the challenges and hardships that can come with it. Its infectious rhythm and joyful vocals make it a danceable tribute to the power of nature and the resilience of those who depend on it.