MyWeku

An iconic song, “Zaminamina” makes a comeback!

The choice of FIFA’s Official World Cup anthem couldn’t have been more appropriate. This is a song that not only celebrates Africa but one of the few to have truly captured the imagination of a continent as diverse as ours. This is a song made by those who have been sworn to unquestionably follow orders (soldiers) and yet seem to take special delight in poking fun at authority.

Shakira and Freshlyground, a South African group, sang Zaminamina Waka Waka, (Time For Africa) at the opening ceremony of the World Cup.

Growing up in Africa exposed me to iconic African songs like “African Queen” and “Sweet Mother” which became the staple of most hip and self respecting radio stations across Accra, in my case. Most of these songs were great and brought joy to many at parties and occasions.

However, as students we had our own favourites. Songs that had “naughty” lyrics and were seen by parents as befitting the dregs of society. These were mainly cheer (or cheer leading) songs, we called jama (in Ghana), that we sang during inter school sporting occasions and favoured by so called “uneducated” soldiers (mostly junior officers) during training sessions. None was bigger than Zaminamina , a Cameroonian song that swept through the African continent with its special brand of humour, subtle political connotations and authentic African chorus during the 1980’s when the “big men” of Africa and the military elite seemed to hold sway over their populace. The song is in the Fang language and sang by the group Zangalewa, originally called Golden Sounds. Zangalewa, which was a makossa group, were distinct in their use of military fatigues of a bygone era, exaggerated grey facial hair, quirky self indulgent “old man’s” dance routines and “stuffed” bellies and behinds (not dismillar to those of the military elites).

It is, therefore, heartening to know that the first ever FIFA World Cup in Africa will be forever remembered, long after the closing ceremony by one of Africa’s beloved iconic songs. One that parodies those who have, those who continue to and those who have designs on imposing their will, through the use of the barrel of a gun, on a people who will rather march to the mantra “Backwards Never; Forwards Ever”!

PS:In the video below Shakira’s remix (which focuses on the chorus of the original song) starts in the 7th minute of this video.

Nii Thompson