Mungu ibariki Afrika

"Mungu ibariki Afrika" (English: "God bless Africa") is the national anthem of Tanzania. It is a Swahili language version of Enoch Sontonga's popular hymn "Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika".[1]

Mungu ibariki Afrika

English: God Bless Africa
National anthem of  Tanzania
Also known as	"Mungu ibariki Tanzania" (English: "God Bless Tanzania") بارك الله في تنزانيا
Lyrics	Collectively
Music	Enoch Sontonga/Joseph Parry, 1897
Adopted	1961 (1961)
Audio sample
"Mungu ibariki Afrika" (instrumental, one verse) file help

Etymology

The word Mungu in Swahili means God and its title therefore translates as "God bless Africa".

History

"Mungu ibariki Afrika" was translated and became the state anthem of Tanganyika. It was essentially assigned to Enoch Sontonga, who died in 1905. Mungu ibariki Afrika used the tune to "Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika" with a Swahili translation of the words. It is not known who composed the lyrics but it is known that it was Samuel Mqhayi and Enoch Sontonga who created the early versions used by the African National Congress.[2] Although the tune has been assigned to Sontonga it is thought by some that the tune was originally written by Joseph Parry.[3][1]

Swahili translation

It was first performed in Swahili at a ceremony on 8 December 1961 following the independence of Tanganyika from the British Empire. "Mungu ibariki Afrika" was composed to replace the British national anthem, "God Save the Queen" as the national anthem of Tanganyika.[4] This made Tanganyika the first African nation to adopt the tune of "Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika" as its national anthem.[5] In 1964, Tanganyika formed a union with Zanzibar, which created the United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar (later renamed to Tanzania). The newly united country adopted "Mungu ibariki Afrika" as its national anthem instead of Zanzibar's anthem.[5] Tanzania's use of "Mungu ibariki Afrika" led the way for other African countries such as Zimbabwe, Ciskei and Transkei adopted "Nkosi Sikelel' Afrika", in parts, as their national anthems. South Africa where the song comes from use only some of the words, Zambia uses only the tune and other countries have now abandoned its use.[2] "Mungu ibariki Afrika" was inspired by the African National Congress's use of "Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika" ("God Bless Africa") as its party song after its use at Ohlange High School. The ANC party anthem led to "Mungu ibariki Afrika" being selected as the national anthem of Tanzania.[6][7][8] "Mungu ibariki Afrika" is also used as a hymn requesting Tanzania remain united and independent.[9]

Tanganyika and later Tanzania had concerns about religious unrest between Christians and Muslims after independence. This was because of Christian references in government proceedings and official oaths. The wording of "Mungu ibariki Afrika" was intended to help offset this by being inclusive of the different religious views.[10]

"Mungu ibariki Afrika" is sung daily at Tanzanian schools. A circular issued in 1998 by the nation's Commissioner of Education recommended the singing of the national anthem as a way to promote patriotism in Tanzania's youth.[11]

In 2007, a legal issue arose over the anthem after students who were members of the Jehovah's Witnesses refused to sing the song at their primary and secondary schools in Mbozi District, Mbeya Region. Five students were expelled from school and 122 others received other forms of discipline for their refusal.[11] They objected to singing the anthem because they believed it suggested obeisance to the flag of Tanzania before God.[12] On 2 December 2010, the High Court of Tanzania ruled that the schools' disciplinary actions were appropriate.[11][12] The Court of Appeal of Tanzania overturned that ruling on 12 July 2013, indicating that the disciplinary action taken by the school was unlawful and stating that there was no obligation to sing the national anthem in Tanzanian law.[12]

Lyrics

Swahili lyrics	English translation
Mungu ibariki Afrika Wabariki Viongozi wake Hekima Umoja na Amani Hizi ni ngao zetu Afrika na watu wake. Chorus: Ibariki Afrika, Ibariki Afrika Tubariki watoto wa Afrika. Mungu ibariki Tanzania Dumisha uhuru na Umoja Wake kwa Waume na Watoto Mungu Ibariki Tanzania na watu wake. Chorus: Ibariki Tanzania, Ibariki Tanzania Tubariki watoto wa Tanzania.	God bless Africa Bless its leaders Wisdom, unity and peace These are our shields Africa and its people Chorus: Bless Africa, Bless Africa Bless us, the children of Africa God bless Tanzania Grant eternal freedom and unity To its women, men and children God bless Tanzania and its people Chorus: Bless Tanzania, Bless Tanzania Bless us, the children of Tanzania

References

1. "National symbols? What happened to the giraffe?". The Citizen. 21 March 1990. Retrieved 18 June 2014.
2. "Tanzania: Mungu ibariki Afrika". NationalAnthems.info. Retrieved 20 June 2014.
3. Joseph Parry's Te Deum: Premiere for lost composition, James McLaren, "012, BBC News, retrieved 22 June 2014
4. Taylor, James (1963). The Political Development of Tanganyika. Stanford University Press. p. 217. ISBN 0804701474.
5. Pritchett, Bev (2007). Tanzania in Pictures. Twenty-First Century Books. p. 69. ISBN 0822585715.
6. "Address of the Patron of the TMF, Thabo Mbeki, at the University of Dar-es-Salaam, in honour of the Centenary of the ANC: 22 November, 2012". Thabombekifoundation.org.za. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 18 June 2014.
7. "A Tribute To Enoch Sontonga: "Nkosi Sikelel' I-Afrika"". History Matters. Archived from the original on 30 January 2014. Retrieved 20 June 2014.
8. Heale, Jay (2010). Tanzania. Marshall Cavendish. p. 116. ISBN 0761434178.
9. Mugini, Jacob (2013). "FCS enables multitudes to participate in draft constitution discussion". The Foundation. The Foundation for Civil Society (July–September 2013). Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 19 June 2014.
10. Freider, Ludwig (1999). Church and State in Tanzania: Aspects of Changing in Relationships, 1961-1994. BRILL. p. 56. ISBN 9004115064.
11. "Tanzania: Dons Fault Court Over Suspension of Students (Page 1 of 2)". allAfrica.com. 17 June 2013. Retrieved 19 June 2014.
12. Kibakaya, Esther (18 August 2013). "How much of our religion must we bring to school?". The Citizen. Retrieved 22 June 2014.

External links

• Tanzania: "Mungu ibariki Afrika" – Audio of the national anthem of Tanzania, with information and lyrics
• Himnuszok – Mungu ibariki Afrika
• National anthem of Tanzania MIDI