Skip to main content

LINGALA EZA MOKE SERIES (part 1)

 It's not long ago when a hitherto little-known artiste, Pitson released his single "Lingala ya Yesu" which was more of a parody on Congolese soukous than a gospel song. It was a hilarious and entertaining song but also quite misleading firstly because Lingala is a Language, not a genre of music and secondly, soukous as a genre is not defined by artistes' dressing and mannerisms but the style of music. But don't get me wrong, the song is quite well composed and entertaining. Is that not what we look for in a song?

In the song we find the following words sung by Pitson, "Waliniambia lingala poa nifunge mshipi juu ya tumbo. Na nijue kilingala eti “petit Lingala eza moke” (They told me in a good Lingala song, I have to tie the belt over the stomach. And I have to speak Lingala like, "Little, lingala is Little."). These words while obviously not true are a loose depiction of Congolese stereotype. Opulent dressing and extravagant lifestyle has characterized popular Congolese music for sometime now.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

20 LINGALA WORDS YOU SHOULD KNOW THEIR MEANINGS

Over the last couple of years the Lingala language has gained and continues to gain unprecedented popularity in Kenya . Many Kenyans now can speak fluent Lingala. Some even sing in the langauge! I'm talking about Papa Fololo, Igwe Prezda Bandasson, Awilo Mike of Jamnazi Africa, Fofona Bangali and myself, just to name but a few. Part of the reason for this popularity is: Lingala is easy to learn (For Lingala-Swahili similarities, click here ). I mean, it is ridiculously easy. So easy, in fact, it takes just a few months. Forget about the Lingala you hear in songs that's bedeviled with iterations of Lingalized French (Hahah, what does that even mean?). I'm talking about Lingala in its purest form here, the one not polluted with foreign languages. Well, before I bore you to death with detail, I'm happy to present you here with 20 popular lingala words and phrases I thought you could be interested in knowing their meaning. Let's get right into it, shall we? 1. Bolingo...
88 comments
Read more

10 LUO WORDS YOU SHOULD KNOW THEIR MEANING

 Luo language is a group of closely related languages spoken by River-Lake Nilotes, who trace their origin in the area we today call Republic of South Sudan. The language calls itself "Dholuo" or "Lep Luo" in other dialects and is spoken by the Acholi of Uganda, Luo of Kenya, Jopadhola, Lango, Alur among other tribes. I have painstakingly compiled a list of some Luo words which I think you've most probably come across and would like to know what they mean. Let's get right into it, shall we? 1. Hera - Hera means love. It is both a noun and a verb. It is the first Luo word that anybody interested in learning the language usually encounters. From album titles, song titles to subtitles, it pervades everything. Hera remo, hera mwandu, hera bungu, hera mudho and hera apilo are all music titles by various luo artistes. Hero remo translates to love is blood (the word "is" or its Luo equivalent "en" remarkably doesn't have to be used often...
Post a Comment
Read more

5 POPULAR LINGALA PHRASES EVERY RUMBA LOVER MUST KNOW

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 mann...
4 comments
Read more