Swahili

Today I’m playing a song which I first heard over 30 years ago being performed by BoneyM. It’s the Swahili song Malaika and it’s one of the most widely known of all songs in Swahili. The word malaika means “angel” and the song is the song of a poor young man who has fallen in love but who can’t afford to marry his “angel” because the dowry price is too high.

Malaika, nakupenda Malaika
Angel, I love you angel
Malaika, nakupenda Malaika
Angel, I love you angel
Nami nifanyeje, kijana mwenzio
and I, what should I do, your young friend
Nashindwa na mali sina, we,
I am defeated by the bride price that I don’t have
Ningekuoa Malaika
I would marry you, angel
Nashindwa na mali sina, we,
I am defeated by the bride price that I don’t have
Ningekuoa Malaika
I would marry you, angel

To hear more July songs, click here. If it’s your first time on the site, find out more about why I’m trying to record a piano tune every day here.