Mtukudzi released his debut single, "Stop After Orange," in 1975. Two years later, he began performing with the Wagon Wheels, a group who also featured Thomas Mapfumo. By 1979, he had left to pursue a solo career. Taking several of the band's musicians with him, he formed a new group, the Black Spirits. Their debut single, "Dzandimomotera," sold enough copies to qualify for gold record status. As a solo artist, Mtukudzi had his first successes shortly after Zimbabwe declared its independence in 1980. His debut solo album, Africa, included two hits: "Zimbabwe" and "Mazongonyedze." Mtukudzi has consistently balanced his musical career with his passion for film and drama. In addition to appearing in several documentaries on Zimbabwean music, including the BBC-produced Under African Skies and The Soul of the Mbira, he starred in Jit, the first film featuring an all-Zimbabwean cast. He also played a prominent role in, as well as composed and arranged the soundtrack for, Zimbabwe's second film, Neria. His work earned him a M'Net award for Best Soundtrack of 1992. Mtukudzi subsequently wrote and directed the musical production Was My Child (Plight of Street Children). With the accompaniment of the Black Spirits or the 12-piece supergroup Mahube, Mtukuduzi continued to tour and record.
The album Mahube was released in October 1998. The album Tuku Music, spent 11 weeks at the top of the CMJ New World Music charts. After the album's release, Mutukudzi toured the United States and Canada, along with Taj Mahal and Toumani Diabate and Baaba Maal, as part of Africa Fête 1999. The album Paivepo reached the top position on Zimbabwe's music charts the first week after its release in November 1999.
Murimi Munhu
Oliver Mtukudzi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Uh nyika ivu
Murimi munhu ivuivu
Murimi munhu nyika ivu (ivu ndonyika)
Murimi munhu ivuivu (rine murimi)
Murimi munhu
Murimi we tora kabadza urime
Murimi we tora kabadza urime
Nehunyandzwi whako torarama isu
Murimi we tora kabadza urime
Mvura nevu zoyananda baba we
Kuvemuvimi (kujka)
Kana munyimi (kujka zwemurimi)
Kuve munyori (kujka)
Kana musori (kujka zwemurimi)
Madzibaba (kujka)
Nesu venhungo (kujka zwemirimi)
Uh ah
Uh uh ah
Uh nyika ivu (ivu ndonyika) murimi munhu
Ivu ivu (rii nemurimi) murimi munhu
Nyika ivu (ivu ndonyika) murimi munhu
Ivu ivu (rii nemurimi) murimi munhu
Murimi we tora kabadza urime
Mvura nevu zoyananda
Murimi we tora kabadza urime
Nehunyandzwi whako torarama isu
Murimi we tora kabadza urime
Mvura nevu zoyananda baba we
Kune mudeler (kujka)
Kana mastola (kujka zwemirimi)
Imi mafero (kujka)
Nemi madara (kujka zwemurimi)
Nablazo (kujka)
Nemi magenga (kujka zwemurimi)
Mhhm
Murimi we tora kabadza urime
Mvura nevu zoyananda
Murimi we tora kabadza urime
Nehunyandzwi whako torarama isu
Murimi we tora kabadza urime
Mvura nevu zoyananda tete wo
Kuve mushandi (kujka)
Kana mutambi (kujka zwemurimi)
Kuve mukhuru (kujka)
Kana kapwere(kujka zwemurimi)
Madzi mambo (kujka)
Nemi machinda (zwemurimi)
Kuve munyimi (kujka)
Kana muvimi (kujka zwemurimi)
Kuve mutongi (kujka)
Kana mutori (kujka zwemurimi)
Madzibaba (kujka)
Nemi gwenyambura (kujka zwemurimi)
Uh ah
Uh uh ah
The lyrics of Oliver Mtukudzi's song Murimi Munhu highlight the importance of farming and agriculture in Zimbabwean society. The title translates to "the farmer is the person" in Shona, and the song emphasizes the crucial role that farmers play in sustaining the country's economy and ensuring the availability of food. The repetition of "murimi munhu" throughout the song reinforces the idea that farmers are not simply workers or laborers, but integral members of society.
The first verse of the song specifically references the need for farmers to properly care for their land and crops ("murimi we tora kabadza urime"), and the importance of water in agricultural production ("mvura nevu zoyanana"). The following verses mention different groups within Zimbabwean society, highlighting the fact that farming is a vital occupation for people of varying ages, genders, and social roles.
Overall, "Murimi Munhu" honors and celebrates the often-overlooked work of farmers in Zimbabwe, emphasizing their importance and the need to support them. The song's lively, upbeat melody and energetic call-and-response chorus further contribute to its joyful celebration of the farmers' labor.
Line by Line Meaning
Uh uh ah
An expression of excitement or affirmation.
Uh nyika ivu
This land is very important.
Murimi munhu ivuivu
The farmer is an essential person.
Murimi munhu nyika ivu (ivu ndonyika)
The farmer and this land are both significant.
Murimi munhu ivuivu (rine murimi)
The farmer is an integral part of our society.
Murimi munhu
The farmer.
Murimi we tora kabadza urime
The farmer who works hard on the land.
Mvura nevu zoyanana
The rain and the seeds are interconnected.
Nehunyandzwi whako torarama isu
Your advice helps us to achieve success.
Mvura nevu zoyananda baba we
Rain and seeds, oh our father.
Kuvemuvimi (kujka)
To be a vegetable farmer (is great).
Kana munyimi (kujka zwemurimi)
If you're a farmer (it's great to be one).
Kuve munyori (kujka)
To be a writer (is great).
Kana musori (kujka zwemurimi)
If you're a poet (it's great to be one).
Madzibaba (kujka)
Being a traditional healer (is great).
Nesu venhungo (kujka zwemirimi)
We, who are amateurs in farming (it's great to be one).
Nyika ivu (ivu ndonyika) murimi munhu
This land is significant to the farmer.
Ivu ivu (rii nemurimi) murimi munhu
This role is integral to the farmer.
Murimi we tora kabadza urime
The farmer who works hard on the land.
Kune mudeler (kujka)
Being a sculptor (is great).
Kana mastola (kujka zwemirimi)
If you're a blacksmith (it's great to be one).
Imi mafero (kujka)
To be a teacher (is great).
Nemi madara (kujka zwemurimi)
If you're a musician (it's great to be one).
Nablazo (kujka)
To be a dancer (is great).
Nemi magenga (kujka zwemurimi)
If you're a drummer (it's great to be one).
Mhhm
An expression of contemplation or agreement.
Mvura nevu zoyananda tete wo
Rain and seeds, oh our uncle.
Kuve mushandi (kujka)
To be an employee (is great).
Kana mutambi (kujka zwemurimi)
If you're a traditional leader (it's great to be one).
Kuve mukhuru (kujka)
To be an elder (is great).
Kana kapwere(kujka zwemurimi)
If you're a young person (it's great to be one).
Madzi mambo (kujka)
Being a chief (is great).
Nemi machinda (zwemurimi)
If you're a farmer (it's great to be one).
Kuve munyimi (kujka)
To be a translator (is great).
Kana muvimi (kujka zwemurimi)
If you're a gardener (it's great to be one).
Kuve mutongi (kujka)
To be a carpenter (is great).
Kana mutori (kujka zwemurimi)
If you're a woodworker (it's great to be one).
Madzibaba (kujka)
Being a traditional healer (is great).
Nemi gwenyambura (kujka zwemurimi)
If you're a drummer (it's great to be one).
Uh ah
An expression of excitement or agreement.
Uh uh ah
An expression of excitement or agreement.
Uh nyika ivu (ivu ndonyika) murimi munhu
This land is significant to the farmer.
Ivu ivu (rii nemurimi) murimi munhu
This role is integral to the farmer.
Nyika ivu (ivu ndonyika) murimi munhu
This land is significant to the farmer.
Ivu ivu (rii nemurimi) murimi munhu
This role is integral to the farmer.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Saxton
on Ziwere
I’m Shona and these lyrics are totally wrong. This song has no reference to intimacy. Tiki never sang along those lines
MuLUMICHIMPI MUYANDA
on Raki
you miss leading people about the meaning of the song raki..... Oliver was wandering how lucky some are and where luck comes from and who gives luck basically... not about the traditional beer no no!
Masibae Shumbaress
on Nyanga Yenzou (Munoshusha)
Lol the person who translated this is definitely not native. FYI Zim used to use English money (ma Pondo) pounds prior to independence. Basically the singer (a son-in-law) who paid bride price in full is complaining that his Father-in-law (tezvara) keeps trying to extort him (Nyanga ye nzou and chipembere, elephant tusk and rhino horn respectively are illegal so how can the son-in-law meet the unreasonable demands?)
Ransom M
on Mbiri hurimbo
I'm afraid the translation is off by quite a margin. This song is about being famous and the consequences of fame. He basically implies that if he had known the consequences of being famous he might not have pursued the career he pursued. He speaks of how God gave some talents or gifts that allow them to enjoy success peacefully. He likens fame to "hurimbo", a sticky substance used to trap birds. He also, in the first verse uses the metaphor of an owl, saying "If I'd recognized an owl while it was still a chick, I would have said 'No way', because rearing it has consequences." Owls are viewed as bad omens, creatures used in witchcraft, bad luck like a black cat. So yeah, the translation is way off.
Ransom M
on Mbiri hurimbo
Fame is a trap
Ransom M
on Mbiri hurimbo
I would have said no in the first place
Ransom M
on Mbiri hurimbo
Some you gave gifts, gifts with no fame
Tman
on Mbiri hurimbo
Any one can give the meaning of Jehova une Masimba
Juliet David
on Hakuna Zita
Lots of love from Port Harcourt Nigeria. I love his all his music too much
Kalala
on Vachakunonokera
Great song , especially the jazz kick