Nyango sent me this song from Cameroon, Africa that’s about the shape of Italy. Here’s what she wrote: “…wondering if I had given you this song we learn as children in Cameroon during Geography. It goes;
The shape of Italy is admittedly
Often described as the shape of a boot
The shape of Italy is admittedly
Often described as the shape of a boot
See, see.
See, see.*
Italy is in the shape of a boot
Italy, Italy
Is a remarkable boot!
Lovely song! I’m not sure if other countries sing it and/or use the same tune.”
*Nyango and I think “see” has a double meaning in the song, with the Italian word for yes, spelled “sì”.
Recording of Nyango singing The Shape of Italy song.
Many thanks to Nyango M. Nambangi of the Minnesota African Women’s Association for contributing this song and for singing it for us!
If anyone knows any other tune for this song or other songs about geography, please let us know in the comments below. Thanks!
Mama Lisa
This article was posted on Thursday, May 20th, 2010 at 12:31 pm and is filed under Cameroon, Cameroonian Children's Songs, Children's Songs, Children's Songs from Cameroon, Countries & Cultures, Geography, Italy, Languages, Learning, Mama Lisa, MP3's, Recordings, Recordings of Songs, Teaching, The Shape of Italy. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.
August 21st, 2010 at 1:50 pm
i was having this discussion with my wife last and we both seem to not be able to come to an agreement on this. I sorry to say folks….Italy does not look like a boot but a high heel shoe. now a state that truly looks like a boot would be Louisiana US. Look it up…you’ll see. By the way, nice song.
August 21st, 2010 at 2:42 pm
I see Italy as a high heeled boot!
August 26th, 2010 at 12:18 pm
I see Italy as a high heeled boot or thigh boot too. Louisiana looks more like one of Santa’s boots.