Lingala is probably the fastest growing indigenous African language largely due to Congolese music (Rumba, soukous, chatchto and the like). Some of the greatest composers and singers in Africa have sung in this language producing some renown hit songs that have dominated the African airwaves for decades while introducing some endearing phrases and catchphrases that never just never fade from our collective memory. Lingala is reputed as Africa's most romantic language and it has surely lived up to this reputation.
Lingala phrases are a pure joy to listen to, especially when you understand them. Some of these phrases are priceless pieces of wisdom while some overflow with sardonic humor and wit. But one thing is for sure, these phrases are simply unforgettable, for one reason or another. Maybe it's because we tend to be fascinated with exotic languages and ideas. Or maybe, the Congolese people are just damn good at composing music. Either way, their singing, their music and mannerisms seem to awe the entire world and these endearing pharases are the carrier of that fascination. Let's look at some of them here:
Lingala phrases are a pure joy to listen to, especially when you understand them. Some of these phrases are priceless pieces of wisdom while some overflow with sardonic humor and wit. But one thing is for sure, these phrases are simply unforgettable, for one reason or another. Maybe it's because we tend to be fascinated with exotic languages and ideas. Or maybe, the Congolese people are just damn good at composing music. Either way, their singing, their music and mannerisms seem to awe the entire world and these endearing pharases are the carrier of that fascination. Let's look at some of them here:
1. Shamukwale yaya pesa mbongo! Abominga, abetaka nga ye, abominga... This phrase, popularized by Koffi Olomide, Madilu System and Awilo Longoma in their songs "Loi", "gate le coin" and "colonisation" respectively and now is famous with many atalakus or anamateurs. Literally, it means something like "Shamukwale, give me money. He kills me! He beats me up. He kills me." Whatever the idea the singer wants to pass across with this phrase is unclear. It is also not clear whether it is addressed to a person called Shamukwale or Shamukwale is just some popular slang. But what is clear is that this is a major chant in Congolese music.
2. "Boya makambo ezali Minene. Well, everyone seems to know this one. It is found in Franco Luambo Makiadi's song 'Makambo ezali Bourreau' where he together with Madilu System sing in turns in one one their greatest compositions. Madilu System includes the phrase in his later composition called 'Ya Jean'. Ferre Gola too includes it in 'Kamasutra'. Literally translating to "Come all, these problems are huge (too much). "Franco abeleli America o, Franco abaleleli Brussels. Franco abeleli na Paris eh, Alobi makambo ezali Minene."Franco shouts in America. Franco shouts in Brussels. Franco shouts in Paris. He says these problems are big!" "Kobelela" means to mourn for or shout for. It is the transitive form of the verb belela which means to shout. In the song Mobutu Sese Seko, Franco sings, "Belela, belela nkombo ya mobutu...." meaning "shout, shout the name of mobutu.."This phrase may be taken as a helpless plea for help amidst mounting problems.
3.Lelo makambo,lobi makambo, biso tokosuka wapi? This phrase is so common (it really should be at the top of this list) I wonder whether anybody exists who has listened to Congolese music and not heard it. You have it in so many songs including 'gate le coin', 'mario', 'sansa ya papier', 'freres soki" and many other Congolese songs, you can't keep their count. The meaning is quite simple. It can loosely be translated to, "Today we have problems, tomorrow we have problems, what will be our end?"
4.Nakosala nini and it's variants. 'Nasali yo nini? Nakosala nini? Nini oyo osali ngai?" are a very popular question. I can't count the number of songs I have heard these phrases in. Yondo Sister asks in Mbuta Mutu "Nakosala nini mwana mama?" It evokes a deep feeling of desperation and frustration and chimes well with the theme of a lover scorned. "What am I to do? "What is this you've done to me? "See what you have done to me...."
5. "Nalelaka yo" This phrase is not very popular but is still found in a handful songs. It literally means "I cry for you."
6. “Lokuta
eyaka na ascenseur, kasi vérité eyeka na escalier mpe ekomi" I can remember at least two songs which contain this phrase: Koffi Olomide's Loi and Madilu System's Le tunant de Titre. It can be translated as "Lies come
up in the elevator; the truth takes the stairs but gets there
eventually.”
Merisi baku
ReplyDeleteLingala language is so interesting ,I'm trying to learn it day after day
ReplyDeleteI saw a comment by Lusalusa sometime back explaining the phrase " Shamukwale mama pesa ngai mbongo" as request for fair by a taxi Conductor for passengers disembarking from shamukwale which is a suburb of Kinshasa.
ReplyDeleteLingala language is so interesting, i have come to like it so much,at first i didn't understand what this Congolese musicians were talking a bout,until i started learning the language. their songs real have massages.
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