Innodo- Course of Events [II]

Innodo- Course of Events [II] 

July "Wara" Mahlangu [Saai Plaas Boys Lead Singer, Edited]

Innodo- Course of Events [II] - The Innodo course of events continues and today we are looking at the Elders of Ndebele music, Maphophotha , Koernag NamaDlanga and Two Gunmen & Ndebele Queens. For those who listen to Zulu Traditional Music especially Maskandi will be familiar with Phuzushukela. I have to say that Maphophotha is more like Phuzushukela in Ndebele Traditional Music, Innodo. He was described as the Father of Ingadla which is a kind of Ndebele dance. Here is one of his songs which in my view describe the support that one receives from a family.

Maphophotha: T-III

“Arha..! YemaNdebele, akhen’ thath’ abentwana,

Nibathumel’ esikolweni, sizokuba namaKhomph’yutha, intwez’ tjhintjako.

UGogo uzang’ Nngidel’ igwabo

UMma yen’ uzang’ phekel’ ithunga

UMkgharibami yen’ uzang’ thezel’ iinkuni

UDade uzak’ phothel’ umnqamo

UBaba uzang’ hlabis’ ikomo

Kho! Aw’zwe! Aw’zwe!

Wazibamba Kortman.

Maye mna! Ungikhumbuza phasi KonoMtjharhelo.

Zinqindze Budi, Khonalaphoke! Heyi, Kho! Kho!

Dwi…!”

The second song talks about the Kings of the AmaNdebele people but not in full details.

Maphophotha: T-I

“Angen’ Amakhos’ akaMabhoko,

Newungawaziko yewubuze sikutjele thin’ aboMaphophotha.

Uqal’ ulaleleke Mngani,

Amakhos’ ekhethu mathi;

Uzak’thoma laph’ eLorini, ungene kwaMabena.

Newehlak’ entatjanenapha, thath’ iS’keyi,

Uyibophe ikoloyakaletjhe leyo, kukwaGegana ke  lapho!

Indlel’ eyekhenu, le ngenzasi ‘Kwasim’ iyembiwa’ [Inaudible]

Yewubuze sikutjele mani.

Ugega nomlambo yi, uyokungena ‘eKwaggafontein’ [Inaudible]

Nas’ isibha, mawuyama laph’ aya, emlanjena,

Umlambo lo bathi yiTjhaluza.

Mawuyehlaphaya, yiKos’ ekheth’ uMahlangu,

KuseMthambothini ke lapho!

Bababelo Bebe uyajabula may’ uBaba.

Bababelo Bebe yiKos’ enjan’ le eyaduma esi…[Inaudible]

Arha! Amakhos’ ekhethu  ayalila enzasi le,

Akhen’ ikhambe nibuyel’ ekhaya mani,

Amakhos’ ekhethu akanin’ umuntu…”

I have to mention that Koernag NamaDlanga is the best as well, below is a song entitled “Siyathuthuka” and it is my medicine indeed when I am down or thinking about the challenges I face in life.

Siyathuthuka

 “Sebayang’rara, sebayas’rara…!

Siyathuthuka, siyathuthuka…!

‘Basizondel’ anabantwaba…!’

Zonda mthakathi, mara thina siyathuthuka,

simaNdebele madoda, akusenandaba,

singakhamba sitjhinga phambili.

Asithuthuke maNdebele.

Sirage sitjhinge phambili,

Siyawuthokoza uMrhatjho weS’khethu,

Won’ owasenzel’ intwehle,

Sikwazi ukuthaba nawo uMrhatjho weS’khethu,

Ngoba usiphathel’ iingoma ezimnandi,

IsiNdebele, nazo zoke. ”

One of my favorite songs by Two Gunmen & Ndebele Queens, “UBaba Uthi Angikhambe” I love his sound because of its uniqueness. He was such a Genius; another master-piece is “Inyoka Esikhwameni,” and “Kiya Tsamaya”. All the songs are found on Ikwekwezi FM CD [Celebrating 25 Years on Air]

UBaba Uthi Angikhambe

 “UBaba Uthi Angikhambe ngibuyel’ ekhaya,

Yemadod’ anezono angizilis’ utjwala,

Halalala…! Yenitjhide yenitjhide,

Nang’ uTwo Gunmen engena.

Yeyi yeyi yeyi yeyi, ayibambane,

Tjhagala Rodo!”