Mokoomba is a Zimbabwean musical group, originally from Chinotimba township… Read Full Bio ↴Mokoomba is a Zimbabwean musical group, originally from Chinotimba township, Victoria Falls. The group sings in a number of languages including English, Luvale, Tonga, Nyanja, Ndebele and Shona. Mokoomba takes its name from a Tonga word that connotes deep respect for the Zambezi river and the vibrant life along its banks.

Formed between 2002 and 2007, the group began its professional career in 2008. Their performance at the Music Crossroads InterRegional Festival (IRF) in Lilongwe, Malawi,[9] won them a European tour and they recorded their first album, "Kweseka".

Their second album, Rising Tide, was produced by the Ivorian singer Manou Gallo.

In February 2017, Mokoomba released its self-produced third album Luyando on Germany’s OutHere label, a stripped-down, mostly acoustic album that took their sound in a new direction.

http://www.mokoomba.com/

Njoka
Mokoomba Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

oooooh ooooooh
oooooh ooooooh

zulo ninakumanana chani njoka
yenze funakuniluma kwendo
nikauza mzanga kutitipaye
because unakamwalila
tilikuchoka pamene apomzanga

njoka ikamuluma akamwalila
nasala negakaine
mama nasala nega inee

nasala negaine mama
nasala nega ine
nichite bwanjine mama
nichite bwanjine

nasala negaine mama
nasala nega ine
nichite bwanjine mama
nichite bwanjine

Sanayinango
Mesa
Sanayinango
Mesa
Sanadikinadikina
Mesa

Sanayinango
Mesa

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Mokoomba's song Njoka are filled with emotion and an underlying sense of pain. The first few lines talk about someone named Zulo and how he/she is dealing with a situation with a snake. The line "zulo ninakumanana chani njoka" can be interpreted as "Zulo, what is your problem with the snake?" This could be a metaphor for a difficult situation in life that Zulo is dealing with. The next line "yenze funakuniluma kwendo" roughly translates to "it shines so bright that it hurts my eyes" which means that the situation is so difficult that it's overwhelming.

The chorus "nasala negaine mama, nichite bwanjine mama" reveals the main theme of the song which is the pain of separation. "Nasala negaine mama" means "I am missing my mother" and "nichite bwanjine mama" means "I want to go back to my mother." The repetition of these lines emphasizes the deep longing for family and home that is felt by many people, especially those who have migrated to other countries.

Overall, Njoka is a powerful song that combines contemporary and traditional elements of Zimbabwean music. The hooky melodies, intricate rhythms, and emotional lyrics make it a standout track in Mokoomba's discography.

Line by Line Meaning

oooooh ooooooh
Indication of the start of the song without any lyrics.

oooooh ooooooh
Indication of continuation of the song without any lyrics.

zulo ninakumanana chani njoka
In the bush, what am I doing with the snake?

yenze funakuniluma kwendo
It wants to bite me and end my journey.

nikauza mzanga kutitipaye
I told my friend to pay me,

because unakamwalila
because it bites me.

tilikuchoka pamene apomzanga
We cannot leave as it is next to us.

njoka ikamuluma akamwalila
The snake bites and it hurts.

nasala negakaine mama nasala nega inee
I cry for myself and for my mother.

nasala negaine mama
I cry for myself, mother.

nichite bwanjine mama
Let me stay here, mother.

nichite bwanjine
Let me stay here.

Sanayinango Mesa
Indication of the chorus with no specific meaning.

Sanayinango Mesa
Indication of the continuation of the chorus with no specific meaning.

Sanadikinadikina Mesa
Indication of the repetition of the chorus with no specific meaning.

Sanayinango Mesa
Indication of the continuation of the chorus with no specific meaning.

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Abundance Mutori, Coster Ndaba Moyo, Donald Moyo, Mathias Muzaza, Miti Mugande, Trustworth Samende

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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