N'na Duniyaa

from Badinyaa Kumoo by Sona Jobarteh

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about

I was commissioned by the director Baltasar Kormákur to write this song for his Hollywood movie “Beast”, starring the renowned actor Idris Elba. The heart of the film’s narrative touches on the parallel existence of man and beast, and the need for wildlife and its environment to be protected. The song talks of the fragility of our planet and the pain it is experiencing, calling on humans to respect the nature that supports and enables our very existence. I called on the renowned South African Zulu poet, educator and social activist Eugene Skeef to write the lyrics for my second verse and choruses in the Zulu language. By singing in Zulu, I wanted to pay my respects to the fact that the movie was filmed on South Africa soil, and more importantly to celebrate and pay homage to the beautiful diversity of African languages. I seek to demonstrate that as Africans we need not always default to using European languages in our music, when we have a continent full of rich African languages that we can explore and celebrate.

lyrics

VERSE 1:
Nying duniyaa kono
Koleyaal ka ké lé
Duniyaa si n’nyoo’séeyaa

Bari, wo nyaawo’nyaa
Kano néné té burr’ka la

Kano
Meng mu n’na sorri féng baa ti
Nyang’ta ka duniyaa buu’nyaa a’ning a’baluwoo méng baa kono

CHORUS:
Indalo, ah
Ulimi lumoya ndalo, ah
Masiyi la lele ndalo, ah
(Repeated)
Masiyi la lele indalo

VERSE 2:
Too’nyaa lem
Nying duniyaa té féng ti
Bari a’sembo si i’tinyaa noo lé
Duniyaa tanka méng yé baluwoo dii ila

Khonza’ umhlab’ omkhulu
Inkaba yethu ilapho
Indawo yobungcwele
Kulempilo eyonakele

Aaaa eyaya yooo

CHORUS:
Indalo, ah
Ulimi lumoya ndalo, ah
Masiyi la lele ndalo, ah
(Repeated)
Masiyi la lele indalo

OUTRO:
Eeee indalo ilimele

credits

from Badinyaa Kumoo, track released January 16, 2023
Composed and produced Sona Jobarteh

Lead Vocals | Rhythm Guitar | Kora | Percussion | Drum programming | String score: Sona Jobarteh
Backing Vocals: Sona Jobarteh and Eric Appapoulay
Guitar / Bass / Drums – Eric Appapoulay
Balafon – Sidiki Jobarteh-Codjoe
Violin – Bruce White
Cello – Ian Burdge
Brushes – Miroca Paris
Mixed by Femi Temowo
Mastered By Chris Pavey

license

about

Sona Jobarteh London, UK

sonajobarteh.com

shows

May 11

Barbican Centre

London, UK
May 27

Kaufleuten

Zürich, Switzerland
May 29

Muziekgebouw Eindhoven

Eindhoven, Netherlands
Jul 20

Rosenfelspark

Lörrach, Germany
Oct 19

Nalen Stora Salen

Stockholm, Sweden
Oct 22

Centralstation

Darmstadt, Germany

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