When I was a kid there was a funny, dirty
popular jingle. A naughty song about bad
wind, or in impolite, raw English, farting. Allegedly composed on the East
African coast where Swahili lullabies developed and creativity blossomed.
Swahili of Taarab, fun, coconuts, mischief, music and fish.
Today we take Kiswahili for
granted, but 45 to 60 years ago, non fluent Swahili speakers, from upper
regions and highlands were often teased. The bad wind song was an example of
such inter-territorial arrogance and brilliance. Please look closely at the
lyrics. Aren’t they meaningless except
for the last Swahili word...?
“Ana ana do
Kachanika basto
Iziplingi matingo
Kajaamba!”
As
time moved, folks added more lines. Normally, the tune was chanted after a
smell of bad wind had been detected. In their innocent fashion, children are
allowed to be silly and playful. So while everyone waved hands close to their
noses, someone would start singing and wagging a finger at everyone present.
Each word will go to the next person until Kajamba was finalised. If you
happened to be the one at that end of the round, laughter and jeer would wash
your face, even if you were not the culprit. Such unfair embarrassment contributed to folks
adding more lines to extend the playful ordeal.
“Ushuzi unanuka! Atatandikwa! Tena Saana...”
