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Malaika (Swahili Folk Song) perfromed by Stanislav Angelov (Bulgarian Accordionist) & Albert Combrink (South African Pianist) in the Tango-Duo Show “The Boer & The Bulgar” in the Theater of Alexander Bar, Cape Town

Read more about the show HERE:

More about the song “Malaika”

I grew up in Apartheid South Africa, and much of my South African musical heritage was lost on me – in my ignorance, or simply from never being in contact with it. I had heard of the wonderful South African singer Miriam Makeba, and it was in my varsity years, when the policital questions became too loud to remain unanswered, that I discovered the magical artistry of this woman, a singer who was living in political exile. I fell in love with her and with this song, the first moment I heard it. It had a melancholy which was iresistible.

“My baby, I love you, and if ony I had enough money to afford to come and get you, I would have married you

How simple. How touching. How absolutely heartbreachingly tragic. Sung by a woman far from her homeland, missing her family and loved ones, forbidden even from entering the borders of the land where her ancestors are burried. Heard by a boy exiled in all but name from a community that simply could not or would not connect with his political, social or sexual views. When she sang, she sang my sadness too. The sadness of incomprehension which a child feels when it knows there is something terribly wrong, but it has neither the experience, nor the vocabulary to understand it, let alone do anything about it.

Malaika is a Swahili song. Malaika generally means angel in Swahili. As is the case with many Swahili words, it is ultimately derived from Arabic. An alternative Swahili meaning is a “baby” or “small child“,hence at least one particular traditional version of the song titled Malaika being commonly used as a lullaby throughout East Africa.

 

“Malaika”: Lyrics in English and Swahili

Malaika, nakupenda Malaika
Angel, I love you angel
Malaika, nakupenda Malaika
Angel, I love you angel
Nami nifanyeje, kijana mwenzio
and I, what should I do, your young friend
Nashindwa na mali sina, we,
I am defeated by the bride price that I don’t have
Ningekuoa Malaika
I would marry you, angel
Nashindwa na mali sina, we,
I am defeated by the bride price that I don’t have
Ningekuoa Malaika
I would marry you, angel

Kidege, hukuwaza kidege
Little bird, I think of you little bird
Nami nifanyeje, kijana mwenzio
and I, what should I do, your young friend
Nashindwa na mali sina, we,
I am defeated by the bride price that I don’t have
Ningekuoa Malaika
I would marry you, angel
Nashindwa na mali sina, we,
I am defeated by the bride price that I don’t have
Ningekuoa, Malaika
I would marry you, angel

Pesa zasumbua roho yangu
The money (which I do not have) depresses my soul
Pesa zasumbua roho yangu
the money (which I do not have) depresses my soul
Nami nifanyeje, kijana mwenzio
and I, what should I do, your young friend
Ningekuoa Malaika
I would marry you, angel
Nashndwa na mali sina, we
I am defeated by the bride price that I don’t have
Ningekuoa Malaika
I would marry you, angel

The Boer & The Bulgar: Tango Duo Concert & Milonga

These 2 musicians have worked together for over a decade on different stages in different countries.

In this show they will explore their cultures and their interests, centering around the Tango Music which they have been performing together for over a decade. They will perform Tango music from both their cultures, Bulgaria and South Africa, and there will be space on the stage for Tango Dancers to take the stage. So if you are a Tango Dancer, bring your dancing shoes along, and if you are simply interested in watching, you can have a drink and relax and enjoy the sights.

The idea for this show came during their tour to Germany where they performed in the prestigious Leipzig Gewandhaus, and performed in Tango Clubs in Berlin, Leipzig and Tubingen.

Bookings essential!
Limited seats!

Bar and Restaurant available before, between and after shows.

When: Tuesday 22 October 2013,
Time: 7:30 for 8 pm & 9:30 for 10 pm

Price: R80

Bar and Restaurant available before, between and after shows.

Alexander Bar, 76 Strand Street , Cape Town CBD
MAP AND DIRECTIONS
VENUE PHOTOS

Booking: BOOK ONLINE
Information: 021 300 1652 / info@alexanderbar.co.za

ALEXANDER BAR ON FACEBOOK HERE
TWITTER : @alexanderbarct     /     @albertcombrink   /   @StanislavMusic      /     @TangoBand

CT TANGO ENSEMBLE ON FACEBOOK HERE

CT TANGO ENSEMBLE WEBSITE HERE.

ALBERT COMBRINK ARTIST PAGE ON FACEBOOK HERE.

Albert Combrink & Stanislav Angelov

Albert Combrink & Stanislav Angelov

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