For those of you discovering Miriam Makeba for the first time, I would like to point out that it was not only her beautiful music that made her famous worldwide. She spoke out against apartheid in South Africa, and delivered an eloquent speech before the United Nations in 1963. This caused her to be banned from her own native country for 31 years. She was not even allowed to return to South Africa to attend the funeral of her own mother. She was strong, beautiful, and courageous. May her soul rest in peace, and may many generations be inspired by her.
ok wow! so this sista was just DAM DOPE and amazing on every level!!!! I don't have nothing but love and respect for this magnificent and talented creature!!!!!🔥🔥🔥🌹🌹🌹🌹🖤❤💚
Me too I think Xhosa is so expressive and I wish I could speak it like I could as a child. We should treasure languages because when you learn a new language you learn a new way of life
@@elsahoffmann8719 Language is so much more than a communication tool, it's a framework for how we think and interpret reality. Like how some colors exist for speakers of certain languages, but not others. When a language dies, a whole world is lost along with it.
I love her confidence when she said that English speakers can't pronounce the name of the song. There's a real sense of pride in her voice for her language.
@@EMD1792 I’m pretty sure that is definitely not what they meant, what I think they mean is that they’re happy she’s so prideful in her language. And she was not wrong about English speakers not being able to sing it because most cannot.
There is linguistic supremacy? lol becausd they said pride in here language... even if I take your dumb comment seriously. Try not to be an idiot on the internet. @@EMD1792
She looked so shy and nervous when she was talking but the moment the music kicked in it was like she immediately channelled to her energetic expressive self. It’s magical how music affects people.
There is nothing wrong with being shy and humble. I see the shame a lot of people in the west have associated with shyness. They think it means you lack confidence. In many cultures however, it isn't frown upon to be shy. It also isn't seen as a weakness or lack of confidence. I feel many introverts in western cultures have to practice being out going, because apparently that is the only personality that is praised, which is a shame really.
So a couple of things: * It's wild that the clicks of the Xhosa language evolved, testament to the variety of sounds humans can make to communicate. * Miriam Makeba was singing this live, no autotune. Now that's a good live performance.
Any attitude is read by you. I was celebrating her voice. Not everything on the internet has to be negative, like someone assuming you have an attitude.
@@AshenElk there's just no context for auto tune here, at all. It seems like you just have some sort of bias about auto tune that you inserted for no particular reason
Miriam Makeba was a legend long before the internet existed. There used to be things like radios and TVs and tapes and records...... But, I am glad new generations are discovering this amazing lady.
@@gordonmahrer5907 when an artist does something out of pure love the results are sublime...you can see it in their face, you can sense it with your heart and your ears..🤗✨✨
She was such a smart and very well spoken lady. She was also not afraid of the truth and kept true to her beliefs and what was in such trying times in South Africa. One of the greatest women of South Africa
@@Cindy-vg9ki many people from a non English speaking place aren’t so eloquent in English. I know as a white woman I’d sound like a fool trying to speak isiXhosa to South Africans who don’t know English. I give fluent speakers of multiple languages so much respect, it’s so difficult✊
I was fortunate to see her perform with Paul Simon's Graceland tour in 1987. I'm glad she realized her dream " to invite Paul Simon to play in a FREE South Africa." She sang a set in Xhosa, and shared the stage with Hugh Masakela and Ladysmith Black Mambazo. A seminal moment in my life.
She is one of the top wishes or destinations choices of what my brother and I would call our Music Time Machine, meaning that if we have a musical time machine where we could go back in time to attend any concerts from the past, Miss Makeba would be amongst our top choices.
I told one of the 5th graders that at one of the schools I worked at! She told me I was weird, I told her if everyone was normal it would be a boring world!
I am a 74 year old white southern woman. I recall seeing Miriam Makeba on television a few times back when I was young. She was so talented, beautiful and joyful. She deserved a better audience than the politely interested middle aged white group shown in this film, that’s for sure.
There's no way you saw her on Television, south of the Mason Dixon line. They wouldn't even show certain movies with back then, with "Colored Folks" in them. I'm glad you appreciate the music, but I had to call that out. Now you can prove me wrong with evidence, and I will accept it.
@@thomascarroll39 its funny that you think its ok to still say "colored folks" while correcting a senior citizen and telling her that her experience and comment are invalid. Dont be that person.
Many people across the world cannot make the sounds found in many languages not native to them. This is not usual or limited to this language or any race.
Used to hear this song a fair bit in SA in the 90s. I always assumed it was because Bic used the track to advertise their Bic 'click' pens. The clicks did make learning Xhosa as a 3rd language rather fun 😊
@@The_Hagseed If you knew anything about linguistics, you'd know that Xhosa isn't the only click language. Please do your research before blindly accusing people like that.
My daughter was crying her little heart out for the first months. What gave her calm was this song. I put it on and she was in awe. I actually tried my best to learn to pronounce the click sounds and still sing it to her, almost four years later. This is a fantastic and clear version I am going to show to her later. Goodbye Mama Africa
For mine it was "Rock You" by Queen. I used to put her in a wrap snug to my chest and softly beatbox the stomp stomp clap sound which she found soothing!
As an ex- pat white South African, I love Xhosa, I grew up in a suburb of the cape, near the beach. My favorite thing as a little girl was when we still had a milk man, he was Xhosa, and he greeted me every morning in Xhosa, and on Sundays when no grownups noticed I use to watch a program where Xhosa grandparents use to watch their grandchildren and teach them Xhosa, just so that I could also say good morning back to our sweet milk man.
My favorite thing about the internet is discovering people and learning about different cultures. The most beautiful thing about music is you don't necessarily have to know the language in order to get the spirit of the song. This is really beautiful
I love that the internet can connect you, not just to videos like this, but people on the other side of the world who can share their pasts, present and dreams for the future with each other. We find that we are so different, but still all the same.
@@JorgensZelda now if only the "leaders" of the world would realize it too. Most of us want the same things-a decent place to live, enough food that no one knows starvation, safe schools so our children can do better than we did, love, respect, compassion, freedom from oppression. These are things all human beings deserve
Back in the 60s, I used to go to my cousin's house every Saturday and hang out with her and my aunt. My aunt would play her records, and we would listen to Harry Belafonte, Odetta, Miriam Makeba, others. It was something to look forward to, but I appreciate it even more now than I did when I was a kid. My aunt was cool.
I love this song. I remember as 13 year old listening to her music and being so impressed not only with her singing but her speaking out against apartheid. I went to the barber and cut my hair as short as hers. My father was livid because I had long hair back then but my mother didn't seem to mind. Great woman.
This video brought back such happy childhood memories. We had a record of her singing this and “Pata Pata.” I spent many hours trying to sing this with the clicks. So glad the poster shared this!
This type of music needs to be preserved and documented so it won't be forgotten. Music is a great educative tool to use to teach people about different cultures.
She radiates so much when she smiles. It's like she is singing with her whole heart and spirit. She's beautiful. Been a fan of hers since I was in elementary school. She continues to amaze me even now.
I actually heard this song sung by a different artist in a different language. Ismael Lo had it on one of his albums. I like this singer better though.
I’m here because of The Voice “African Edition” and this woman sung this song so good! It gave me goosebumps so I had to come here to listen to the original singer. She’s stunning 😍😍🔥
She has an indescribable but very real beauty that is hard to come by, especially these days. I feel so fortunate to come across a clip like this. Strong, dignified, wise, maternal.
She's very natural and wearing almost no/no makeup. Women now days do that all the time. I don't know why you are saying that women these days don't have this beauty? Also why is her beauty indescribable? I would describe her as being physically beautiful in a natural way and very graceful and poised in her bearing. Idk, your comment kind of confused me.
@@lolaispure4296 Women like what? I'm having a hard time grasping what is the ephemeral quality that this woman possesses that is currently extinct in modern society. Could you enlighten me?
@@ameliakennedy4428 if you have an african grand mother/ aunt/ relative that grew up in the forties or fifties, from an afluent family you can grasp better what her beauty has that is special. Indeed she is poised and gracious, and not a lot of african women are like this anymore. Education, values and circumstances changed with the years.
Amazing. I met her once in The Netherlands. I had to check it, but it was in 1989. She was doing a concert with Paul Simon. My friend and I went to the hotel they were staying and that's where we met her. Paul already left. She was thanking US for coming to see the show.
Hey there! I came across your comment and I just had to reach out and say hi. Your perspective really caught my attention and I would love to get to know you better. Would you be interested in chatting sometime? Looking forward to hearing back from you! 😊
My Dad had a trading store in KwaZulu-Natal. He also sold seven single records of South African indigenous artists. I used to listen to the original record of this song, and learnt all the words. I also managed to pronounce the clicks correctly. This was 60 years ago when I was 12 years old. It was a revelation to me to listen to this song again and realize I still knew all the words.
After hearing the xhosa language, I was so impressed and fascinated that I decided to take inspiration from it whenever I imagine the bolteskra language from my story "Will of Steel". I wish I could thank this woman for sharing her language with us. It's very beautiful.
I am from South Africa. I am so privileged to see the face of this singer. Over the year's we had heard the click song and a lot of us loved it. Music is music no matter who you are. And yip we can't say the click sound. 😱 I blame my tongue for this. 😁
@@bobibg4ever I don't know about genetics, but: the darker skin tone make the tooth seem whiter. And maybe cultural eating. Harder foods "clean" the teeth like a tooth brush. Or they avoid foods that stain, like coffee. Just assumptions to train my english :p
@@ericaramosaugusto3374 Good points but color aside, Africans seem to have better teeth in terms of straighteness, tooth size and shape. I think it ties in with them having very strong hair and stronger skin.
Her speaking voice is so gentle, her singing is so strong, the language is so beautiful. Every part of this performance has a musicality to it, this is a whole experience that feels like it’s over too soon
@@valevisa8429 woah, you did well to stop the conversation with "Trevor". There's something not right about him. He lures folks by encouraging them to accept his emails instead of chatting here. Loves to ask the weather. I highly doubt he is from Ohio. Lol.
MIRIAN MAKE A I HEARD HER SON PATA PATA.NNIM FROM S.AMERICS N.MY GRADMA WAS BLACK N MY GRANDPA FROM SPAIN.GUAYAQUIL.ECUADOR WE HAVE A SMALL CITY IT IS CALL ESMERALDA COMO LA PIEDRA PRECIOSA QUE TE COMPRAS EN UNA JOYERIA Y MI PADRE ELIAS BODERO AULESTIA PLAYED.GUITAR.N ACCORDION.N ORGAN.HE LOVE MUSIC THAT HE INVENTED A JUKE BOX MUSIC 🎵 PLAYER N HE BUILD IT WITH HIS OWEN HAND.S N I WAS ALWAYS NEXT TO HIM WATCHING HIM BUILD IT BUT HE DECIDED TO MOVED TO BROOKLYN.N.Y.WITH THE HELP OF MY DEAR AUNTIE.EMPERATRIZ BODERO AULESTIA DE CASTILLO GRACIAS.THANK YOU VERY MUCH RIP HOPE THE LORD HAVE YOU IN A GREAT PLACE N THANK YOU VERY TO MY COUSIN MARIANA SANCHEZ.BODERO DE VILLAREAL IM VERY THANKFULLY TO MY TWO FAVORITES PERSON MERRY CHRISTMAS 2021 HOPE YOU ENJOY IT N MAKE SURE YOU PUT YOUR MASK 😷🎭🎭😷🎵💙🖤😊💚😆♥️😌😁💖❤️❤️☺️💝🤩😂😂💗💔💕💘🥰🧡🥰🧡🥰💜💜💜💜♥️
I have a story to share about Ms. Makeba that goes back to 1987 and Paul Simon's Graceland tour with Ladysmith Black Mambazo. My now-husband and I saw the tour at DTE Energy Center, formerly Pine Knob, in Michigan. Miriam was a surprise guest for the show and just before coming out onstage, had twisted her foot or hurt herself in some way, so she sat on a high stool instead and sang her heart out. I will never forget that entire show and how beautiful Miriam's smile was!
As someone going to school for history and sociology the Xhosa language is one of those languages that straight up amazes me, from the clicks of the Xhosa, to the many whistled languages around the world, to the pidgin languages that are created, the human ability to communicate is so much more complicated and kinda insane than most people really think about. Like take for example a small isolated place like the Pitcairn Islands and their language of Pitkern, a language spoken by fewer than 50 people and yet one of the most unique combinations of English and Tahitian to exist. All I'm trying to say is languages are all so beautifully complex and varied that I am in constant awe.
She makes this entire song with her beautiful voice. She's incredible, from her mesmerising beauty to her soulful vocals and vocal instruments. Would love a documentary or tv show about her life experiences etc.
From a white person, I find that talent beyond amazing. It’d take me decades to learn to do what she does effortlessly. I love the variety of talents of different peoples in this world. I hope one day we will grow out of our social media infancy, and focus on our differences as beautiful rather than hate
The different ways culture and language evolve and are different based on region is beautiful and fascinating and should be celebrated and not oppressed.
As a Fijian, this brings back childhood memories. Grew up in Fiji in the 70s & 80s still listening to this song, such a beautiful language Xhosa. Crazy when I start to realise the global listening our parents and grandparents had even all the way in the South Pacific. Likewise, her other famous, Pata Pata song, set the bar for groovy for me and many others for sure. She reached far and wide, as did the impact of her work for South Africa and connections to the Black Panthers in the U.S too. Just goes to show, the might of music with its roots in change and passion for equality. Love you Miriam. Thank you for paving the way.
She is and always will be beautiful. I have been listening to her wonderful music for over 40 years! Thank you Mama Africa I’m sure your still singing away, on the beautiful side. 🙏🏼🇬🇧
I was almost named after a Miriam Makeba song (Malaika). Even though I wasn’t, her music still touches my soul to this day. ❤ I’m glad more people are listening to her music
Sorry. Correction. Malaika is actually a song by the late great Fadhili Williams of Tanzania domiciled in Kenya. Miriam copied it. But I understand what you mean. Anyway, Malaika is a Swahili that means Angel. Swahili isn't spoken in South Africa where the great Makeba comes, but rather is mainly from the East Africa coast, a blend of the local Bantu and Arabic languages.
I remember way back in 1975 when my parents, siblings and I were stationed at the Kenysn Embassy in Addis Ababa in Ethiopia and listening to my late daddy's record of Miriam Makeba's Pata Pata record. I was hypnotized by her diverse vocal range and that exotic sound in her songs. Flash forward 48 years later, mrs Makeba is in heaven, the sixties are gone but her music lives on and her message is still resonating anywhere black people are oppressed. Its so bittersweet for me. RIP mama Africa. 👍❤❤❤🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
I found out about her from the AC/DC RUclips channel believe it or not. They showed a picture of a concert ticket from 1979 in Nuremberg, Germany, where the artists were, The Who, AC/DC, Cheap Trick, Scorpions, Miriam Makeba etc Amazing! I’m so thankful
I discovered Miriam Makeba in the 1960s and return to her music every so often. It takes me back to my youth. Though I do not understand the words, her voice transports me to happy times🙏🏽
"Iqhirha lendlela kuthwa nguqonqothwane" I don't know what she's saying. But I can sing the whole thing. And I can write and pronounce Xhase 💯 I just don't know what it means. It shares few words with language which is Zulu. The group of languages is called Nguni. It is Zulu Xhosa Swati Ndebele and there may be more. These are Southern African language. South Africa has over 15 languages alone of which 11 are official. The country with the most official languages in the world. We speak English Afrikaans Venda Sotho Pedi Tsonga Zulu Tswana Xhosa Ndebele Swati Sepulane and many more. It's crazy
No one can hit dislkie button after hearing this style of song....those who had hit dislike has purposefully did to show hatrate for her and all african people
She resembles the history ,solidity that the african culture has been through and able to overcome through all odds , she still defines the history south africa carries
Greetings from Kyiv🇺🇦 The vocal style in this great peace of music shares some resemblance with our Ukrainian traditional singing that proves that "people are the same wherever you go"!!!
My friend, I dearly hope that you and your family are safe and well during this awful time. If you celebrate Christmas, I wish you a merry one--and a happy, secure, and peaceful new year.
@@maybeIAMthetuba Many thanks!! I was lucky to be in Turkey with my family when the invasion started so we're safe. Happy Holidays to you and your loved ones too!!!
I first learned of Miriam Makeba in 1968. I was going to college, and my uncle gave me a cassette player and some tapes. Among them was a tape of Miriam Makeba. My uncle lived in Europe and had been to South Africa and learned of her. I was mesmerized by her voice and by her music. I don't listen to music, I feel music, so the language was not a barrier to me. This is the first really good video of Qongqothwane that I have ever seen on RUclips. Thank you so much, Spiked Candy, for sharing it.
Honestly I have watched this video several times during the previous weeks. This song pops up to my recommendations over and over again and I always watch it. I have been pretty depressed lately but this song brings me so much happiness that I can’t even explain. I don’t know why. But she is beautiful, her smile is so beautiful and the song is very beautiful and it makes me emotional 😢
What a beautiful energy and song. I started loving African culture from getting to know Nina Simone, I used to be racist in the way that I was afraid of black people because there were no black people in my city when I was very young. Now I love their culture and history everywhere they spread them. I don’t know why she got in my feed but I feel very grateful for that.
Amazing , like poetry, I can't either describe, so beautiful, something unusually is in her voice , is like some very good energy caming from her voice , is like God using her voice to try tell as some story, and she came from the continent - where everything was start .Thank you ❤💐❤
Miriam Makeba,to me was one of most greatest woman, that ever lived.there were a period in my life,where her song spoke to the depths of my soul, brought years to eyes.had not listen since.it made me grow into who i am now.love you mama Africa!
My parents had a Harry Belafonte album when I was a little kid in the 60's and Miriam was on it performing this song. I loved the song so much I learned the lyrics (minus the clicking naturally) and it blows my mind that I remember most of them so many decades later. I still love the song and she's so lovely.
I remember seeing her performance of this song on TV in black&white. I was 7 or 8. I remember adults pushing us kids to follow news of her. She was so pretty. A major part why I always have believed in civil rights and morality. The way of hatred is never morally acceptable.
I remember Trevor Noah singing part of this song and being awed by it. Thank you for sharing Miriam Makeba's music with us - she is incredible as a singer and a person.
I saw her live in the Guild Theatre is East London (South Africa) in the late 60's .... thinking back, quite remarkable that I, as a white African, got to see her at all. I was 6. I will never forget the show. Edit - for those who don't know - ugQhira is a doctor. Pronounced uDxigga
For those of you discovering Miriam Makeba for the first time, I would like to point out that it was not only her beautiful music that made her famous worldwide. She spoke out against apartheid in South Africa, and delivered an eloquent speech before the United Nations in 1963. This caused her to be banned from her own native country for 31 years. She was not even allowed to return to South Africa to attend the funeral of her own mother. She was strong, beautiful, and courageous. May her soul rest in peace, and may many generations be inspired by her.
❤️😢
Omg wow
Thank you. She is amazing. I want to learn more.
Seriously...
ok wow! so this sista was just DAM DOPE and amazing on every level!!!! I don't have nothing but love and respect for this magnificent and talented creature!!!!!🔥🔥🔥🌹🌹🌹🌹🖤❤💚
I'm Xhosa and growing up in the late 90's & 00's in elementary school we used to sing this as kids on the playground. Love my language. Beautiful.
Me too I think Xhosa is so expressive and I wish I could speak it like I could as a child. We should treasure languages because when you learn a new language you learn a new way of life
@@elsahoffmann8719 Language is so much more than a communication tool, it's a framework for how we think and interpret reality. Like how some colors exist for speakers of certain languages, but not others. When a language dies, a whole world is lost along with it.
I also love your language
It is so beautiful. Your language is so so so so beautiful.
Xhosa has a very unique sound! It is cool you know it.
I love her confidence when she said that English speakers can't pronounce the name of the song. There's a real sense of pride in her voice for her language.
You’re a fan of supremacy? 😂😅
@@EMD1792 I’m pretty sure that is definitely not what they meant, what I think they mean is that they’re happy she’s so prideful in her language. And she was not wrong about English speakers not being able to sing it because most cannot.
There is linguistic supremacy? lol becausd they said pride in here language... even if I take your dumb comment seriously. Try not to be an idiot on the internet. @@EMD1792
O cara é branco e manda essa de supremacia kskskkskkkkkk pqp
yesss
She looked so shy and nervous when she was talking but the moment the music kicked in it was like she immediately channelled to her energetic expressive self. It’s magical how music affects people.
Music clicked in :)
Part of that is cultural, too.
The music makes her happy and sharing it makes her happier still
And went back to shy after it stopped.
There is nothing wrong with being shy and humble. I see the shame a lot of people in the west have associated with shyness. They think it means you lack confidence. In many cultures however, it isn't frown upon to be shy. It also isn't seen as a weakness or lack of confidence. I feel many introverts in western cultures have to practice being out going, because apparently that is the only personality that is praised, which is a shame really.
So a couple of things:
* It's wild that the clicks of the Xhosa language evolved, testament to the variety of sounds humans can make to communicate.
* Miriam Makeba was singing this live, no autotune. Now that's a good live performance.
What do you mean 'evolved'
Was the attitude towards auto tune really necessary here?
Any attitude is read by you. I was celebrating her voice. Not everything on the internet has to be negative, like someone assuming you have an attitude.
@@AshenElk there's just no context for auto tune here, at all. It seems like you just have some sort of bias about auto tune that you inserted for no particular reason
Why would anyone think there was autotune being used here ?
I‘m so happy that RUclips exists. As a European I would never have heard about this Language or this song if the internet wasn’t a thing
When I was a kid, Miriam Makeba was legendary. She's still pretty widely known.
Miriam Makeba was a legend long before the internet existed. There used to be things like radios and TVs and tapes and records...... But, I am glad new generations are discovering this amazing lady.
Trevor Noah can
There was a rendition of this song on the voice South Africa it's so amazing you should check it out
Im European (50) Miriam Makeba is hugely famous among English speaking people however, and I remember her performances well as a kid
Her speaking voice is so calm and soothing and then she starts singing and 😮
❤️
Just like Michael Jackson!
Michel'le is the same way!
@@gordonmahrer5907 when an artist does something out of pure love the results are sublime...you can see it in their face, you can sense it with your heart and your ears..🤗✨✨
Spirit of a warrior ..she was one of Africa's best.
She was such a smart and very well spoken lady. She was also not afraid of the truth and kept true to her beliefs and what was in such trying times in South Africa. One of the greatest women of South Africa
I totally agree. In Jamaica 🇯🇲 where I'm from she was revered.
Well spoken? Such a backhand remark.
@@Cindy-vg9ki many people from a non English speaking place aren’t so eloquent in English. I know as a white woman I’d sound like a fool trying to speak isiXhosa to South Africans who don’t know English. I give fluent speakers of multiple languages so much respect, it’s so difficult✊
@@Cindy-vg9ki don't worry, someone will correct them publicly one day.
Wow
I was fortunate to see her perform with Paul Simon's Graceland tour in 1987.
I'm glad she realized her dream " to invite Paul Simon to play in a FREE South Africa."
She sang a set in Xhosa, and shared the stage with Hugh Masakela and Ladysmith Black Mambazo.
A seminal moment in my life.
I saw the same concert. BLEW MY MIND!
That's where I saw her too. I will never forget that night.
Oh my gosh! I'll bet that was awesome to be there!!! 👍👍👍
She is one of the top wishes or destinations choices of what my brother and I would call our Music Time Machine, meaning that if we have a musical time machine where we could go back in time to attend any concerts from the past, Miss Makeba would be amongst our top choices.
Now that’s a concert I would have loved to attend. All favorites of my mom rip ❤
Imagine how dull the world would be if we were all the same
I told one of the 5th graders that at one of the schools I worked at! She told me I was weird, I told her if everyone was normal it would be a boring world!
I am a 74 year old white southern woman. I recall seeing Miriam Makeba on television a few times back when I was young. She was so talented, beautiful and joyful. She deserved a better audience than the politely interested middle aged white group shown in this film, that’s for sure.
There's no way you saw her on Television, south of the Mason Dixon line. They wouldn't even show certain movies with back then, with "Colored Folks" in them. I'm glad you appreciate the music, but I had to call that out. Now you can prove me wrong with evidence, and I will accept it.
@@thomascarroll39 what are you the internet police LMAO
@@Jen_xox0 He was stating facts. SA can't run away from Its history.
@@thomascarroll39 its funny that you think its ok to still say "colored folks" while correcting a senior citizen and telling her that her experience and comment are invalid. Dont be that person.
@@LK-mw7pp you should see how many Southern States are mostly brown people. Who do you think was watching TV IN 1967 If shes on then?
I love how she said, “ because they can not say it”! Oh the shade, and I’m here for it. She was absolutely amazing 😍
Many people across the world cannot make the sounds found in many languages not native to them. This is not usual or limited to this language or any race.
@@dagneytaggart7707
... but not every language people can't speak they look down upon because of that fact.
Well said, @@Leftiticus_Maximus_III
@dagneytaggart7707 lmao Properly shading OP for their shading comment is giving _life!_ Well done, intended or not 😆
Used to hear this song a fair bit in SA in the 90s. I always assumed it was because Bic used the track to advertise their Bic 'click' pens. The clicks did make learning Xhosa as a 3rd language rather fun 😊
She spoke a click language. As a linguist it is really interesting to me to listen to her. I also admire her for her human-rights lifelong fight.
Hello Amaia, how are you doing today, hope you’re fine and safe from the COVID-19 virus??
If you were an actual linguist, you'd know it's called Xhosa and not "a click language".
So do I! ❤
@@The_Hagseed If you knew anything about linguistics, you'd know that Xhosa isn't the only click language. Please do your research before blindly accusing people like that.
@@The_Hagseed Oh your ignorance shines so bright with just that comment. Good job 🙄
My daughter was crying her little heart out for the first months. What gave her calm was this song. I put it on and she was in awe. I actually tried my best to learn to pronounce the click sounds and still sing it to her, almost four years later. This is a fantastic and clear version I am going to show to her later. Goodbye Mama Africa
For mine it was "Rock You" by Queen. I used to put her in a wrap snug to my chest and softly beatbox the stomp stomp clap sound which she found soothing!
@@RasheedKhan-he6xx my son stopped crying when I played Bjork Pagan Poetry the other day
I think it’s awesome that you expose your children to music from different cultures.
@@salma_Nella22 my son loved Frosti as a baby 🥰 Bjork really did something special with Vespertine
@@Wildtingz frosti is perfect, I wish it were longer
As an ex- pat white South African, I love Xhosa, I grew up in a suburb of the cape, near the beach. My favorite thing as a little girl was when we still had a milk man, he was Xhosa, and he greeted me every morning in Xhosa, and on Sundays when no grownups noticed I use to watch a program where Xhosa grandparents use to watch their grandchildren and teach them Xhosa, just so that I could also say good morning back to our sweet milk man.
Stop that’s so sweet 😭❤️
My favorite thing about the internet is discovering people and learning about different cultures. The most beautiful thing about music is you don't necessarily have to know the language in order to get the spirit of the song. This is really beautiful
I love that the internet can connect you, not just to videos like this, but people on the other side of the world who can share their pasts, present and dreams for the future with each other. We find that we are so different, but still all the same.
@@JorgensZelda now if only the "leaders" of the world would realize it too. Most of us want the same things-a decent place to live, enough food that no one knows starvation, safe schools so our children can do better than we did, love, respect, compassion, freedom from oppression. These are things all human beings deserve
So true regarding your words about music
Back in the 60s, I used to go to my cousin's house every Saturday and hang out with her and my aunt. My aunt would play her records, and we would listen to Harry Belafonte, Odetta, Miriam Makeba, others. It was something to look forward to, but I appreciate it even more now than I did when I was a kid. My aunt was cool.
Cool aunties 💓
Great memories. Thanks for sharing them.
I love Odetta
fran, i bet you are way cool too.
@@harryw9598 lol, thanks, I would like to think so, but I'm sure there are those who think otherwise
She was so beautiful our South African queen. Her soul rest in perfect peace 🙏🇿🇦
Her and Brenda Fassie RIP
Our music has been 🔥🔥✌🏾
@@WeirdMustKnowFacts REAL TALK prince!!!👋🏾🥰
queen? or trans?
Heaven's got to be a riot. A big musical thang
This little scrap of footage is a world treasure ❤️
Hello Down, how are you doing today, hope you’re fine and safe from the COVID-19 virus??
I was here because of Trevor Noah talking about Xhosa language... this is a nice song... such a unique language
I love this song. I remember as 13 year old listening to her music and being so impressed not only with her singing but her speaking out against apartheid. I went to the barber and cut my hair as short as hers. My father was livid because I had long hair back then but my mother didn't seem to mind. Great woman.
Love this story, thanks for sharing! ❤
💛💛
Mama Afrika! My father played this song and Pata Pata for us. I love this woman's strength and spirt. She's never stopped singing even while in exile.
Dan Zanes did a cover of pata pata, and that is the first time I'd ever heard it. I searched up the original on RUclips and loved it. She is so good.
This video brought back such happy childhood memories. We had a record of her singing this and “Pata Pata.” I spent many hours trying to sing this with the clicks. So glad the poster shared this!
I remember hearing her and Hugh Masekela’s music on repeat in the house when I was little. You can’t listen to it and feel bad.
Haha Pata Pata, so many memories ! 😆💃🎶
Exile? 😕
This type of music needs to be preserved and documented so it won't be forgotten. Music is a great educative tool to use to teach people about different cultures.
Very true!
It won't be by it's people, that's for sure
Hear hear! I am a Linguist (Master's degree. Just wish I could type better lol) and what you said is precisely my job...and I take it seriously.
True Lady
I'm not sure why you all think African people don't preserve our own history 🤔
She radiates so much when she smiles. It's like she is singing with her whole heart and spirit. She's beautiful.
Been a fan of hers since I was in elementary school. She continues to amaze me even now.
I actually heard this song sung by a different artist in a different language. Ismael Lo had it on one of his albums. I like this singer better though.
I’m here because of The Voice “African Edition” and this woman sung this song so good! It gave me goosebumps so I had to come here to listen to the original singer. She’s stunning 😍😍🔥
She has an indescribable but very real beauty that is hard to come by, especially these days. I feel so fortunate to come across a clip like this. Strong, dignified, wise, maternal.
Women like these are an exctinct specie
@@lolaispure4296 still quite prevalent in traditional cultures
She's very natural and wearing almost no/no makeup. Women now days do that all the time. I don't know why you are saying that women these days don't have this beauty? Also why is her beauty indescribable? I would describe her as being physically beautiful in a natural way and very graceful and poised in her bearing. Idk, your comment kind of confused me.
@@lolaispure4296 Women like what? I'm having a hard time grasping what is the ephemeral quality that this woman possesses that is currently extinct in modern society. Could you enlighten me?
@@ameliakennedy4428 if you have an african grand mother/ aunt/ relative that grew up in the forties or fifties, from an afluent family you can grasp better what her beauty has that is special.
Indeed she is poised and gracious, and not a lot of african women are like this anymore. Education, values and circumstances changed with the years.
Amazing. I met her once in The Netherlands. I had to check it, but it was in 1989. She was doing a concert with Paul Simon. My friend and I went to the hotel they were staying and that's where we met her. Paul already left. She was thanking US for coming to see the show.
True humility and graciousness defines her👵🏽🙏🏽❤️!!!!
I also saw her perform with Paul Simon on the Graceland tour.
💛💛💛
That's beyond cool
There’s no way you can hear this song and NOT feel joy!
Hey there! I came across your comment and I just had to reach out and say hi. Your perspective really caught my attention and I would love to get to know you better. Would you be interested in chatting sometime? Looking forward to hearing back from you! 😊
It is so refreshing to see a true, glamorous, natural Black woman on stage in 1963. She was one of a kind. There hasn't been one like her since.
I am 74 and had the privilege and pleasure of listening to her and Hugh Mandela perform and a small Los Angeles jazz club in '69.
Hugh Masikela
I was named after her. My mum was a huge fan of Queen Miriam.
Queen 🥰🙏
This is probably one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard 😍
Agree! 💓
YES!!!💕
It fascinated me at age 2 (according to my late parents...) - still does, 57 years later...
AMEN
I aggree
Once heard...never forgotten
My Dad had a trading store in KwaZulu-Natal. He also sold seven single records of South African indigenous artists. I used to listen to the original record of this song, and learnt all the words. I also managed to pronounce the clicks correctly. This was 60 years ago when I was 12 years old. It was a revelation to me to listen to this song again and realize I still knew all the words.
After hearing the xhosa language, I was so impressed and fascinated that I decided to take inspiration from it whenever I imagine the bolteskra language from my story "Will of Steel". I wish I could thank this woman for sharing her language with us. It's very beautiful.
Her smile is infectious. She is beautiful. 🥲
I am from South Africa. I am so privileged to see the face of this singer. Over the year's we had heard the click song and a lot of us loved it. Music is music no matter who you are. And yip we can't say the click sound. 😱 I blame my tongue for this. 😁
Id like to learn
It feels rude to not take the time to learn pronunciations.
@@Unherd_Of ur opinion not mine
I'm just staring at those beautiful perfect straight white teeth.
Rest in heavenly peace mama Africa
AMEN!
Omg same!! What a queen!!!
Why do us europeans have such bad teeth compared to you africans...? Is it probably due to different diet genetics? Anyone can explain?
@@bobibg4ever I don't know about genetics, but: the darker skin tone make the tooth seem whiter. And maybe cultural eating. Harder foods "clean" the teeth like a tooth brush. Or they avoid foods that stain, like coffee. Just assumptions to train my english :p
@@ericaramosaugusto3374
Good points but color aside, Africans seem to have better teeth in terms of straighteness, tooth size and shape.
I think it ties in with them having very strong hair and stronger skin.
What a classy, sophisticated, eloquent, beautiful, talented lady! You are and always will remain a jewel of Africa!❤
Hello Bridget, how are you doing today, hope you’re fine and safe from the COVID-19 virus??
Her speaking voice is so gentle, her singing is so strong, the language is so beautiful. Every part of this performance has a musicality to it, this is a whole experience that feels like it’s over too soon
Wow did I LOVE and appreciate her talent! She owned the beat in every one of her songs! Her voice was a percussive instrument! I miss those days! ❤
The clicks are so amazing and so is everything else about this song and performance.
she would’ve loved beatboxing!
@@memeju1ce good point
Women like Miriam are the ones who move humanity into a better place. What a great person, what a true legend. Much respect!
I took my brother to see her in Vancouver, BC, Canada. We loved her. She was performing along with Harry Belafonte. An amazing show.
When was that? I live in Vancouver and where was it held?
Queen E theatre?
Am Uganda... Am learning more about makeba the first time.. I am inspired
I am an European and my mother was a teacher in Zair for 2 years.When she came back home she brought cassettes with Miriam Makeba.That was back in 75.
@@trevorjennings720 Got the virus last year,but because i was fully vaccinated it was like a mild flu,in 5 days was gone.
@@valevisa8429 woah, you did well to stop the conversation with "Trevor". There's something not right about him. He lures folks by encouraging them to accept his emails instead of chatting here. Loves to ask the weather. I highly doubt he is from Ohio. Lol.
@@trevorjennings720 okay. I am sorry you didn't get the chance to ask about the weather this time. So, what do you do?
Oh how I miss this amazing woman of many parts. Singer, songwriter, actress, activist. God rest your soul, Mama Afrika. Love you
she was a divine force of nature.
MIRIAN MAKE A I HEARD HER SON PATA PATA.NNIM FROM S.AMERICS N.MY GRADMA WAS BLACK N MY GRANDPA FROM SPAIN.GUAYAQUIL.ECUADOR WE HAVE A SMALL CITY IT IS CALL ESMERALDA COMO LA PIEDRA PRECIOSA QUE TE COMPRAS EN UNA JOYERIA Y MI PADRE ELIAS BODERO AULESTIA PLAYED.GUITAR.N ACCORDION.N ORGAN.HE LOVE MUSIC THAT HE INVENTED A JUKE BOX MUSIC 🎵 PLAYER N HE BUILD IT WITH HIS OWEN HAND.S N I WAS ALWAYS NEXT TO HIM WATCHING HIM BUILD IT BUT HE DECIDED TO MOVED TO BROOKLYN.N.Y.WITH THE HELP OF MY DEAR AUNTIE.EMPERATRIZ BODERO AULESTIA DE CASTILLO GRACIAS.THANK YOU VERY MUCH RIP HOPE THE LORD HAVE YOU IN A GREAT PLACE N THANK YOU VERY TO MY COUSIN MARIANA SANCHEZ.BODERO DE VILLAREAL IM VERY THANKFULLY TO MY TWO FAVORITES PERSON MERRY CHRISTMAS 2021 HOPE YOU ENJOY IT N MAKE SURE YOU PUT YOUR MASK 😷🎭🎭😷🎵💙🖤😊💚😆♥️😌😁💖❤️❤️☺️💝🤩😂😂💗💔💕💘🥰🧡🥰🧡🥰💜💜💜💜♥️
I have a story to share about Ms. Makeba that goes back to 1987 and Paul Simon's Graceland tour with Ladysmith Black Mambazo. My now-husband and I saw the tour at DTE Energy Center, formerly Pine Knob, in Michigan. Miriam was a surprise guest for the show and just before coming out onstage, had twisted her foot or hurt herself in some way, so she sat on a high stool instead and sang her heart out. I will never forget that entire show and how beautiful Miriam's smile was!
As someone going to school for history and sociology the Xhosa language is one of those languages that straight up amazes me, from the clicks of the Xhosa, to the many whistled languages around the world, to the pidgin languages that are created, the human ability to communicate is so much more complicated and kinda insane than most people really think about. Like take for example a small isolated place like the Pitcairn Islands and their language of Pitkern, a language spoken by fewer than 50 people and yet one of the most unique combinations of English and Tahitian to exist. All I'm trying to say is languages are all so beautifully complex and varied that I am in constant awe.
What a lovely, gracious woman she was.
She makes this entire song with her beautiful voice. She's incredible, from her mesmerising beauty to her soulful vocals and vocal instruments. Would love a documentary or tv show about her life experiences etc.
Her voice embodies everything African. And her smile is just like many South Africans. 👍🇿🇦💯👌
Rất thích, bài hát khiến tôi thấy được bản sắc dân tộc trong lời và giai điệu ❤❤❤
I’m fascinated with Mongolian throat singing. Interesting to hear all the different languages and music.
From a white person, I find that talent beyond amazing. It’d take me decades to learn to do what she does effortlessly. I love the variety of talents of different peoples in this world. I hope one day we will grow out of our social media infancy, and focus on our differences as beautiful rather than hate
I learnt in 10 mins
@@ophiolatreia93 well no doubt your version would be equally as entertaining. Hers demonstrates raw talent. Yours raw comedy gold
Joan Siki literally brought me here. I'm from Philippines, home of many tribes, especially the Africans here.
The different ways culture and language evolve and are different based on region is beautiful and fascinating and should be celebrated and not oppressed.
She has a great voice, but is also stunningly beautiful and such expressive eyes.
As a Fijian, this brings back childhood memories. Grew up in Fiji in the 70s & 80s still listening to this song, such a beautiful language Xhosa. Crazy when I start to realise the global listening our parents and grandparents had even all the way in the South Pacific. Likewise, her other famous, Pata Pata song, set the bar for groovy for me and many others for sure. She reached far and wide, as did the impact of her work for South Africa and connections to the Black Panthers in the U.S too. Just goes to show, the might of music with its roots in change and passion for equality. Love you Miriam. Thank you for paving the way.
I’ve always loved and admired Miriam Makeba. Great singer of lots of beautiful songs.
She is and always will be beautiful. I have been listening to her wonderful music for over 40 years! Thank you Mama Africa I’m sure your still singing away, on the beautiful side. 🙏🏼🇬🇧
I was almost named after a Miriam Makeba song (Malaika). Even though I wasn’t, her music still touches my soul to this day. ❤ I’m glad more people are listening to her music
Sorry. Correction. Malaika is actually a song by the late great Fadhili Williams of Tanzania domiciled in Kenya. Miriam copied it. But I understand what you mean.
Anyway, Malaika is a Swahili that means Angel. Swahili isn't spoken in South Africa where the great Makeba comes, but rather is mainly from the East Africa coast, a blend of the local Bantu and Arabic languages.
Further correction, Fadhili copied it from another East African
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fadhili_William
I remember way back in 1975 when my parents, siblings and I were stationed at the Kenysn Embassy in Addis Ababa in Ethiopia and listening to my late daddy's record of Miriam Makeba's Pata Pata record.
I was hypnotized by her diverse vocal range and that exotic sound in her songs. Flash forward 48 years later, mrs Makeba is in heaven, the sixties are gone but her music lives on and her message is still resonating anywhere black people are oppressed.
Its so bittersweet for me.
RIP mama Africa.
👍❤❤❤🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
Beautiful.. how lucky one would be to have this performed at one’s wedding. Gorgeous
I found out about her from the AC/DC RUclips channel believe it or not. They showed a picture of a concert ticket from 1979 in Nuremberg, Germany, where the artists were, The Who, AC/DC, Cheap Trick, Scorpions, Miriam Makeba etc
Amazing! I’m so thankful
Ha that's great! Thanks for sharing :)
I discovered Miriam Makeba in the 1960s and return to her music every so often. It takes me back to my youth. Though I do not understand the words, her voice transports me to happy times🙏🏽
"Iqhirha lendlela kuthwa nguqonqothwane"
I don't know what she's saying. But I can sing the whole thing. And I can write and pronounce Xhase 💯
I just don't know what it means. It shares few words with language which is Zulu.
The group of languages is called Nguni. It is Zulu Xhosa Swati Ndebele and there may be more. These are Southern African language.
South Africa has over 15 languages alone of which 11 are official.
The country with the most official languages in the world.
We speak English Afrikaans Venda Sotho Pedi Tsonga Zulu Tswana Xhosa Ndebele Swati Sepulane and many more. It's crazy
I love this song! Never heard it before. If I had been in the audience, I would HAVE clapped with her.
Hello Jon, how are you doing today, hope you’re fine and safe from the COVID-19 virus??
No one can hit dislkie button after hearing this style of song....those who had hit dislike has purposefully did to show hatrate for her and all african people
Cultural excellence right here! I’m here for it! The confidence, her shy exuberance….and that click sound cannot be rivalled! Love it!
❤ Greetings from Virginia USA 🇺🇸
Physically, she one of the most beautiful beings I have ever seen. Musically? I have no words. Just none. Phenomenal.
That candid smile always wins my heart....Thanks a bunch for this natural upload!!
Never heard of this before, the look in her eye said a.lot, mischief and a strong will. A great performance.
Someone should honor her and sing it at the Grammy's!
She resembles the history ,solidity that the african culture has been through and able to overcome through all odds , she still defines the history south africa carries
Miriam Makeba has been my shero since I was a teenager and understood what she stood for and her singing. She remains my shero. Rest in peace Queen!
yass qween!
She and Tuku!
Greetings from Kyiv🇺🇦 The vocal style in this great peace of music shares some resemblance with our Ukrainian traditional singing that proves that "people are the same wherever you go"!!!
Were not the same, but there are similarities between people, yes.
My friend, I dearly hope that you and your family are safe and well during this awful time. If you celebrate Christmas, I wish you a merry one--and a happy, secure, and peaceful new year.
@@maybeIAMthetuba Many thanks!! I was lucky to be in Turkey with my family when the invasion started so we're safe. Happy Holidays to you and your loved ones too!!!
Slava my friend!!
@@falconeshield Gheroyam slava!!! Thanks🙏
I first learned of Miriam Makeba in 1968. I was going to college, and my uncle gave me a cassette player and some tapes. Among them was a tape of Miriam Makeba. My uncle lived in Europe and had been to South Africa and learned of her. I was mesmerized by her voice and by her music. I don't listen to music, I feel music, so the language was not a barrier to me. This is the first really good video of Qongqothwane that I have ever seen on RUclips. Thank you so much, Spiked Candy, for sharing it.
You're welcome! Thanks for sharing your story :)
@@spikedcandy My pleasure.
Xhosa is so interesting to me. It makes my ears feel good to hear it. Thank god for language and culture. Just makes the world more beautiful
Hello Tara, how are you doing today, hope you’re fine and safe from the COVID-19 virus??
My 2nd grade music and arts teacher played this for us and i never forgot. He explained the clicking before he played it
"Iqhirha lendlela kuthwa nguqonqothwane"
What did he say? Educate me. Co I'm clueless. What does thia even mean. I'm serious.
What a beautiful soul! You can feel the joy she feels singing this beautiful song through the ages. What an honor to witness.
Such a beautiful voice so softly spoken yet when she sings the word's flow like fast moving water... I would love to hear more of her music..
Honestly I have watched this video several times during the previous weeks. This song pops up to my recommendations over and over again and I always watch it. I have been pretty depressed lately but this song brings me so much happiness that I can’t even explain. I don’t know why. But she is beautiful, her smile is so beautiful and the song is very beautiful and it makes me emotional 😢
She was such a wonderful woman inside and out. I will never forget when she came to our house for dinner. Mama Africa. You truly where a gift for God
Hello Evelien, how are you doing today, hope you’re fine and safe from the COVID-19 virus??
I read her autobiography when i was a teen and have loved her since. She’s so beautiful in every way.
What a beautiful energy and song. I started loving African culture from getting to know Nina Simone, I used to be racist in the way that I was afraid of black people because there were no black people in my city when I was very young. Now I love their culture and history everywhere they spread them. I don’t know why she got in my feed but I feel very grateful for that.
Hello Isabella, how are you doing today, hope you’re fine and safe from the COVID-19 virus??
Amazing , like poetry, I can't either describe, so beautiful, something unusually is in her voice , is like some very good energy caming from her voice , is like God using her voice to try tell as some story, and she came from the continent - where everything was start .Thank you ❤💐❤
She should retire so we can get her videos with out trouble.
@@elizabethlerch6145 😅 She passed away YEARS ago.
She’s gorgeous and her speaking voice is so soft and soothing and beautiful. Wow my first time hearing herS she’s so beautiful
The way she so effortlessly clicks with her mouth is so satisfying!
"Iqhirha lendlela kuthwa nguqonqothwane"
The Xhosa language has 3 basic clocks. The C The Q and the X. Then it gets really complicated after that. Something like Chinese
I can’t get over how perfect her teeth are, how beautiful her smile is and those killer cheek bones!!
Miriam Makeba,to me was one of most greatest woman, that ever lived.there were a period in my life,where her song spoke to the depths of my soul, brought years to eyes.had not listen since.it made me grow into who i am now.love you mama Africa!
My parents had a Harry Belafonte album when I was a little kid in the 60's and Miriam was on it performing this song. I loved the song so much I learned the lyrics (minus the clicking naturally) and it blows my mind that I remember most of them so many decades later. I still love the song and she's so lovely.
Hello Malia, how are you doing today, hope you’re fine and safe from the COVID-19 virus??
I LOVE her VOICE and personality. THANK YOU MICHIGAN
So much talent and beauty! She was an amazing woman.❤
When I lived in RSA, Miriam Makeba was very popular. Her nick-name was, nut-brown baby. What a great talent.
Hello Catherine, how are you doing today, hope you’re fine and safe from the COVID-19 virus??
I remember seeing her performance of this song on TV in black&white. I was 7 or 8. I remember adults pushing us kids to follow news of her. She was so pretty. A major part why I always have believed in civil rights and morality. The way of hatred is never morally acceptable.
I remember Trevor Noah singing part of this song and being awed by it. Thank you for sharing Miriam Makeba's music with us - she is incredible as a singer and a person.
My dad used to play this song and others by Miriam when we were kids. Brings back good memories 😊
I saw her live in the Guild Theatre is East London (South Africa) in the late 60's .... thinking back, quite remarkable that I, as a white African, got to see her at all. I was 6. I will never forget the show. Edit - for those who don't know - ugQhira is a doctor. Pronounced uDxigga
Now this is were our latin amercian "sabor" partly comes form 🔥🔥. Thank you Africa for the great roots you have left for us! ❤️🔥