Kenya has over 40 different language groups (tribes). There are some Kenyans who can spot another Kenyan’s language group just by looking at him or her. I have never been any good at this. Not wanting to feel left out I devised my own little game. It doesn’t have a name but if it did it would be called Mtu Wetu” . Loosely translated it means ‘our person’ .
The game is very simple; When I see a non Kenyan black celebrity I try to imagine if they were Kenyan, what tribe they would belong to. An example, Jill Scott – she looks like could pass for a Kikuyu. Call her Muthoni and no one would know the difference.
There are some celebrities I have been unable to place. Usher was one such celebrity, until I heard Pop Your Collar .
Way back in the day there was a Kiswahili song called Vidonge whose chorus lyrics were:
Wape wale vidonge vyao.
Wakimeza, wakitema,
Shauri yao
In Pop You Collar Usher says this:
You perpetrators, I got something to say
Dig that
You can eat it or throw it away
My conclusion: Usher is mtu wetu – 100% Coastarian.
—————-
Vidonge’s Kiswahili-English translation
Give them their medicine/pills.
If they swallow it or spit it out
That is their problem.
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Kenyan Pundit says
Actually Kui, the original version of Vidonge Vyao by Malika had a much deeper meaning…essentially talking about how women are much smarter at as TLC would put it “creeping.” Here’s part of the lyrics.
Wanawake ni wajanja na uerevu wanao,
Waona baba likija wambiwa ni shemejio,
Mwalishwa sahani moja kumbe ni mume mwezio…jomba
[Wote]Wape wape ee vidonge vyao, wakimeza wakitema shauri yao
[Bibie]
Kulishwa sahani moja wewe na mume mwenzio,
Usikione kihoja dunia yetu ya leo,
Wake nasi tuna haja ya matumizi na nguo
Wanawake ni wajanja hakika nimekubali,
Waona baba likija limevaa suruali,
Mwalishwa sahani moja kumbe ni mume wa pili……jomba
[Wote]Wape wape ee vidonge vyao, wakimeza wakitema shauri yao
[Bibie]
Kulishwa sahani moja wewe na yule fulani,
Usikione kioja wala usione shani,
Kumbuka nasi ni tu waja tuna mengi twatamani….
Kui Says: Asante sana for that. Any chance of getting a translation?
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Kaki says
Vidonge means pills???!!
Haki kweli I have a filthy mind. All these years I have been thinking….*bows head in shame*
Kui Says: You are a funny one! But hata mimi I had no clue what vidonge meant – I had use an online Kamusi
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miyongo says
mambo kila mtu!
nipo atlanta, ga. and am a mzungu with an african soul…here is a great site to listen to music. The Vidonge song is on this site and I appreciate they translation you gave as my swahili is limited!
Siku njema!