She is also trained as an opera singer and brought that vibe to these recordings. On one of the tracks on the album she switched from vocals to violin; the result sounded celtic. It is what the Afro Celt Sound System would sound like if they were invited to play at Buckingham Palace.
O Ea Kae
Sibongile Khumalo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
tshoara kong ree koana ko taung
Hamoletsane. Hamoletsane
Ree a bona ha hopoloa mabele
Bashemanyana ba thoara di koto
Ba setla kabaibile ka di konka
(eh ey oe ea kae moshanyana)
o ea kae
o ea kae ho sena koto je
M mona ho joakwa ka koto
(ey he jakoa ka koto)
taung hamoletsane
le rona retlile ko tsona.
The song O Ea Kae by Sibongile Khumalo is a poignant reflection on the search for identity and belonging. The opening phrase, "tshoara kong ree koana ko taung" repeated twice before the refrain "Hamoletsane", translates to "listen carefully to my story of Taung". The name Taung refers to a town in the North West Province of South Africa known for its rich history and archaeological significance. In this context, Taung symbolizes the ancestral land and cultural heritage the singer feels connected to.
The following stanza, "Ree a bona ha hopoloa mabele, Bashemanyana ba thoara di koto, Ba setla kabaibile ka di konka", alludes to the dispossession of land and resources experienced by black South Africans under colonialism and apartheid. The line "ha hopoloa mabele" means "when the fields are no longer cultivated", highlighting the devastating impact of forced removals on agricultural livelihoods. "Bashemanyana" refers to the Khoisan people, who are believed to be the first inhabitants of Taung, and "ba setla kabaibile ka di konka" means "they sit idle with empty stomachs", highlighting the poverty and marginalization faced by indigenous peoples.
The titular phrase "o ea kae" means "where are you going?" and is sung in a call-and-response style with the backing vocalists repeating "eh ey oe ea kae moshanyana". The singer's repeated question conveys a sense of disorientation and uncertainty about her place in the world. This feeling is further emphasized by the line "M mona ho joakwa ka koto" ("I am lost without my heritage"), which underscores the importance of cultural identity in shaping one's sense of self.
Overall, the song's themes of land, heritage, and identity are deeply intertwined and speak to the ongoing struggle for justice and dignity in post-apartheid South Africa.
Line by Line Meaning
tshoara kong ree koana ko taung
Let us go to Kong or Taung as it is known by the locals.
tshoara kong ree koana ko taung
Let us go to Kong or Taung as it is known by the locals.
Hamoletsane. Hamoletsane
It is a joyful time, let us celebrate.
Ree a bona ha hopoloa mabele
Look and see the beauty that surrounds us.
Bashemanyana ba thoara di koto
The young boys are playing their guitars.
Ba setla kabaibile ka di konka
Their melodies are filling the air.
o ea kae
Where are you going?
(eh ey oe ea kae moshanyana)
(Hey, where are you going my friend?)
o ea kae
Where are you going?
o ea kae ho sena koto je
Where are you going without your guitar?
M mona ho joakwa ka koto
You cannot be happy without your guitar.
(ey he jakoa ka koto)
(Hey, play your guitar!)
taung hamoletsane
It is a joyful time in Taung.
le rona retlile ko tsona.
Let us join in the celebration with them.
Contributed by Isabelle V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.