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.
Ndagarwa Nhaka
Oliver Mtukudzi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ndagarwa nhaka mningina
Ndagarwa nhaka ini (nemoyo tswena)
Ndagarwa nhaka amai
Ndagarwa nhaka mningina
Ndagarwa nhaka ini (nemoyo tswena)
Ndagarwa nhaka mningina
Ndagarwa nhaka ini (nemoyo tswena)
Ndagarwa nhaka amai
Ndagarwa nhaka mningina
Ndagarwa nhaka ini (nemoyo tswena)
Ndawana weku wechemera mambo
Ndawana anondichengeta vho
Ndawana wekuturira mabo
Nekuembera
Ndawana weku wechemera mambo
Ndawana anondichengeta ini
Ndawana wekuturira mabo
Nekuembera
Ndawa weku wechemera mambo
Ndawana anondichengeta vho
Ndawana wekuturira mabo
Nekuembera
Ndawana weku wechemera mambo
Ndawana anondichengeta ini
Ndawana wekuturira mabo
Nekuembera
Ndagarwa nhaka amai
Ndagarwa nhaka mningina
Ndagarwa nhaka ini (nemoyo tswena)
Ndagarwa nhaka amai
Ndagarwa nhaka mningina
Ndagarwa nhaka ini (nemoyo tswena)
Ndagarwa nhaka amai
Ndagarwa nhaka mningina
Ndagarwa nhaka ini (nemoyo tswena)
Ndagarwa nhaka amai
Ndagarwa nhaka mningina
Ndagarwa nhaka ini (nemoyo tswena)
Ndawana weku wechemera mambo
Ndawana anondichengeta ini
Ndawana wekuturira mabo
Nekuembera
Ndawana weku wechemera mambo
Ndawana anondichengeta vho
Ndawana wekuturira mabo
Nekuembera
Ndawana weku wechemera mambo
Ndawana anondichengeta ini
Ndawana wekuturira mabo
Nekuembera
Ndawana weku wechemera mambo
Ndawana anondichengeta vho
Ndawana wekuturira mabo
Nekuembera
Ndawana weku wechemera
Ndawana anondichengeta
Ndawana wekuturira
Nekuembera
The song Ndagarwa Nhaka by Oliver Mtukudzi is a tribute to his mother, grandmother, and himself. The words "ndagarwa nhaka" mean "I belong to my family" in Shona, which is the dominant language in Zimbabwe. The repetition of these words throughout the song emphasizes the importance of family and the connection between the present and the past. Mtukudzi refers to himself as "ndagarwa nhaka ini" (I belong to my family too) and sings about his pride in his family's heritage.
The verses of the song talk about the support and protection that Mtukudzi receives from his family. He sings about someone who watches over him ("anondichengeta") and someone who guides him ("wekuturira"). The chorus repeats the phrase "ndawana weku wechemera mambo" which means "I have found my king" and "ndawana weku wechemera" which means "I have found my queen". This can be interpreted as a reference to Mtukudzi finding himself or finding his place in his family.
The song is a celebration of family and the traditions that are passed down from generation to generation. It reminds us of the importance of staying connected to our roots and appreciating the guidance and protection that our families provide.
Line by Line Meaning
Ndagarwa nhaka amai
I am made of flesh and blood, mother
Ndagarwa nhaka mningina
I am made of flesh and blood, my father
Ndagarwa nhaka ini (nemoyo tswena)
I am made of flesh and blood, myself (with my own soul)
Ndawana weku wechemera mambo
I have found a way to please the king
Ndawana anondichengeta vho
I have found someone who protects me
Ndawana wekuturira mabo
I have found a way to follow the king
Nekuembera
And I follow (him)
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