Whenever I first heard about the click talking Africans, I didn't give it much thought. Even though I didn't exactly think it sounded like this...
I didn't really have a clue as to what it actually did sound like. I still don't. However...
I have recently been compelled to do some research on Xhosa, which I used to pronounce as "Zosa." The first thing I found out was
HEY! ZOSA IS ONE OF THOSE CLICK LANGUAGES!!! ALRIGHT!!!
The next thing I found out was
OH!!! IT'S NOT "ZOSA"! Oh boy...yeah...definately not...yeah I'm an idiot...
You heard it, a CLICK for the "X"
My first thought: She has a CLICK in her NAME!
My second thought: Why is she in Spain when she could be in South Africa? (no offense to Spain, but they don't have zebras ya know)
My third thought: Is this some kind of a trick or are those noises really coming out of her mouth? It must be magic!
I was intrigued by her song, which she called "The Click Song". After some research, I found out that the Xhosa title is "Qongqothwane", but with both q's representing clicks, the Afrikaners who settled in South Africa simply called it "The Click Song." It was popularized by Miriam Makeba and is traditionally sung at weddings.
Xhosa lyrics:
Igqira lendlela nguqo ngqothwane
Igqira lendlela nguqo ngqothwane
I didn't really have a clue as to what it actually did sound like. I still don't. However...
I have recently been compelled to do some research on Xhosa, which I used to pronounce as "Zosa." The first thing I found out was
HEY! ZOSA IS ONE OF THOSE CLICK LANGUAGES!!! ALRIGHT!!!
The next thing I found out was
OH!!! IT'S NOT "ZOSA"! Oh boy...yeah...definately not...yeah I'm an idiot...
You heard it, a CLICK for the "X"
My first thought: She has a CLICK in her NAME!
My second thought: Why is she in Spain when she could be in South Africa? (no offense to Spain, but they don't have zebras ya know)
My third thought: Is this some kind of a trick or are those noises really coming out of her mouth? It must be magic!
I was intrigued by her song, which she called "The Click Song". After some research, I found out that the Xhosa title is "Qongqothwane", but with both q's representing clicks, the Afrikaners who settled in South Africa simply called it "The Click Song." It was popularized by Miriam Makeba and is traditionally sung at weddings.
Xhosa lyrics:
Igqira lendlela nguqo ngqothwane
Sebeqabele gqi thapha bathi nguqo ngqothwane
Sebeqabele gqi thapha bathi nguqo ngqothwane
Translation:
Igqirha Lendlela - NguQongqothwane
Diviner of the roadways - the knock knock beetle
Diviner of the roadways - the knock knock beetle
Sebeqabele gqi thapha bathi nguqo ngqothwane
It just passed by here - the knock knock beetle
It just passed by here - the knock knock beetle
I think there are different versions, but this seems to be the most common one.
I know I'm loading this post up with videos, but this is just so fascinating.
I WILL be learning that prayer...
@#!$//#!!!
Oh, don't get offended - I was just telling you about the zebras...sheesh...
PS
If you happen to know more about this than I do, please feel obligated to correct me if I've given false information.
PPS
And if you speak Xhosa, please feel obligated to teach me. Enkosi!
Sebeqabele gqi thapha bathi nguqo ngqothwane
Translation:
Igqirha Lendlela - NguQongqothwane
Diviner of the roadways - the knock knock beetle
Diviner of the roadways - the knock knock beetle
Sebeqabele gqi thapha bathi nguqo ngqothwane
It just passed by here - the knock knock beetle
It just passed by here - the knock knock beetle
I think there are different versions, but this seems to be the most common one.
I know I'm loading this post up with videos, but this is just so fascinating.
I WILL be learning that prayer...
@#!$//#!!!
Oh, don't get offended - I was just telling you about the zebras...sheesh...
PS
If you happen to know more about this than I do, please feel obligated to correct me if I've given false information.
PPS
And if you speak Xhosa, please feel obligated to teach me. Enkosi!
