Vivian wrote asking about the song "Moja Numba"….
Hello,
I have heard a song called Moja Numba, which I believe is Swahili. It was recorded by M’EarthTones. I contacted them, but even they weren’t able to tell me the origin. I’d like to know what the words are and what they mean.
Thank you for your help.
Vivian Caputo
If anyone can provide any info about this song, the lyrics and/or a translation, please comment below.
Thanks!
Mama Lisa
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8 Responses to “Does Anyone Know a Song called Moja Numba?”
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May 7th, 2012 at 10:55 pm
Hi Lisa,
Love your website! I was born in kenya . I live in Texas
Do mean the song.
Swahili:
Numba moja, mbili tatu, inne, tano.
Hesabuni tena!(repeat a number of times)
English:
Number, one, two, three, four, five.
let us count again!
Hope this helps!
May 12th, 2012 at 4:59 pm
Thanks for the song Elizabeth! I posted it on our Kenya pages at:
http://mamalisa.com/?t=es&p=3480&c=34
If you’d like to sing it for us, we’d be happy to add a recording.
Cheers!
Mama Lisa
February 12th, 2013 at 9:59 pm
The meaning of the word Moja as said is ONE. The meaning of the word numba is Number. In Swahili all the vowels are pronounced;- a, e, i, o, u (Musical sound for those who are musical) so ‘a’ would be pronounced as in app, ‘e’ as in egg, ‘i’ as in inn, ‘o’ as in or and ‘u’ as in you.
With this in mind. numba should have been spelt as namba.
There is a song sung by Kidum called ‘Number Moja’ you can check it on iTunes. There is a song also by the name of ‘moja numba’ performed by the Newton High School Singers also on iTunes latest version in 2010 only available as an American download. It sounds as though it is of African origin but I suspect it was composed by someone out there (America?) so that it can be sung in a round. Very good I must admit even though moja was pronounced moi. I hope this was helpful even though it comes a few years down the line.
November 1st, 2013 at 12:00 pm
Thanks for your input Wills!
March 4th, 2014 at 8:13 pm
we used to sing the song in Swahili in Nursary school and early primary classes. You are right counting 1-10
Moja, mbili, tatu,inne tano sita, saba, nane ,tisa
Habari ya Januari …how is January
kuna mutu mmoja…there is one person
aliyepotea…who ran away
Natukimpta…and when we find him
Tutamfunga Jela…we will send him to prison
This is a rough translation,from Swahili language to English we would count our fingers and clap…for humor.Thanks -John Patrick Kamau Author of THE BRIGHT DARK NIGHTS OF THE SOUL and THE MYSTERIES OF AFRICA… March 4th 2014 FL USA
March 6th, 2014 at 2:54 am
i like your website very much. i’ve been searching african songs for a while.m a early year instructor in China. i want to teach some African songs to the children. could you please email me some intresting african children songs that i can teach. and can you introduce me some games that african children play.
March 23rd, 2015 at 10:18 pm
Hallo Lisa,
Kindly bear in mind the number for is NNE and not INNE :-)
Mbuva
March 29th, 2015 at 7:20 pm
Hi Mbuva,
Do you mean that the correct spelling for four is “nne”?
Thanks for writing!
Mama Lisa