Sam Mangwana (born February 21, 1945), is a Congolese soukous vocalist.
… Read Full Bio ↴Sam Mangwana (born February 21, 1945), is a Congolese soukous vocalist.

Sam Mangwana was born in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo to Angolan parents. Mangwana grew up listening to foreign musicians touring Kinshasa, especially those from Cuba, who greatly influenced the development of Congolese music. Sam belonged to many bands throughout his career, beginning with Tabu Ley Rochereau and Dr. Nico's band African Fiesta in 1962.

Tio Antonio
Sam Mangwana Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Tío Antônio quando travalhaba
Nas obras numa plantação
Que pertencía a um colono
Tío Antônio era contratado

Sob um sol ardente do Mocaba
Ele apanhó um pau nas costas
Um capataz pretendía

Que ele era demasiado lento

Antônio wayenda ku Zombo
Ngwa nkazi wayenda mu n'tonga

Tío Antônio foi empregado
Em Madeira, São Tomé, Cabo Verde
No día do seu regreso

Tío Antônio quando trabalhava
Nas obras numa plantação
Que pertencía a um colono
Tío Antônio era contratado

Por ter recusado
Foi deportado
Deportado longe de sua terra
Tío Antônio
Tinha deixado
A familia e sua terra

Antônio kumbe kumbalala...

Antônio wayenda ku Zombo
Ngwa nkazi wayenda mu n'tonga

Antônio...
Sufreu muito
No tempo do colonialismo
Tío Antônio
A yaya
Ay podi Antônio

Kina

Na ma

Tío Antônio quando trabalhava
Nas obras numa plantação
Que pertencía a um colono
Tío Antônio era contratado

Antônio wayenda ku Zombo
Ngwa nkazi wayenda mu n'tonga

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Sam Mangwana's "Tío Antônio" explore the hardships faced by an African worker, Tío Antônio, who was contracted to work on a plantation that belonged to a colonizer. He was punished by a foreman for being too slow, when he was hit with a stick on his back under the blazing sun of Mocaba. The song goes on to describe how Tío Antônio was employed in several other countries including Madeira, São Tomé, and Cabo Verde. However, upon returning to his home country, he was deported because he refused to do something. This forced him to leave his family and his homeland. The song ends with a tribute to Tío Antônio and other African workers who suffered greatly during the colonial era.

The lyrics of this song reflect the experience of many Africans who were brutally exploited for their labor during the colonial era. Tío Antônio, like many others, endured physical and emotional pain while working on the plantation. The song highlights the historical oppression of African workers, and the trauma that came with being uprooted from one's home and family. By singing about Tío Antônio's story, Sam Mangwana brings attention to the long-lasting scars and injustices created by colonialism.

Line by Line Meaning

Tío Antônio quando travalhaba Nas obras numa plantação Que pertencía a um colono Tío Antônio era contratado
Tío Antônio used to work in a plantation owned by a colonist where he was hired as a laborer.

Sob um sol ardente do Mocaba Ele apanhó um pau nas costas Um capataz pretendía Que ele era demasiado lento
Under the blazing sun of Mocaba, Tío Antônio was hit with a stick on his back as the overseer accused him of being too slow.

Antônio wayenda ku Zombo Ngwa nkazi wayenda mu n'tonga
Antônio left Zombo, while the woman went to the river.

Tío Antônio foi empregado Em Madeira, São Tomé, Cabo Verde No día do seu regreso
Tío Antônio was employed in Madeira, Sao Tome, and Cape Verde, but on the day of his return,

Por ter recusado Foi deportado Deportado longe de sua terra Tío Antônio Tinha deixado A familia e sua terra
He was deported far away from his land for refusing to comply with unfair treatment, leaving behind his family and his native soil.

Antônio kumbe kumbalala...
Antônio, who speaks, let him speak ...

Antônio... Sufreu muito No tempo do colonialismo Tío Antônio A yaya Ay podi Antônio
Antônio suffered a lot during the colonial era, and people still know him for it. They now call him Ay podi Antônio or The Great Antônio.

Kina
This is an interjection and does not have a literal meaning.

Na ma
These are also interjections and cannot be translated literally. It can mean 'Yes!' or 'Really'.

Tío Antônio quando trabalhava Nas obras numa plantação Que pertencía a um colono Tío Antônio era contratado
Tío Antônio worked in a plantation owned by a colonist where he was hired as a laborer.

Antônio wayenda ku Zombo Ngwa nkazi wayenda mu n'tonga
Antônio left Zombo, while the woman went to the river.

Writer(s): Ricardo Lemvo

Contributed by Anthony J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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