Nwahulwana

Wazimbo's "Nwahulwana"

Found this on a German site: Warum wanderst du von Bar zu Bar? (“Why do you wander from bar to bar?”)

So, the first time I heard this I thought I recognized some Portuguese, but it’s illusory; the language is actually Ronga. I suppose it was just the echoes of Brazilian music. I found, though, a translation into Portuguese, which I will translate to English, but here’s the thing: this transcription of the words isn’t correct. Also, I’m almost certain I hear “vôce” which means “you” in the lyrics.

First, “nwahulwana” itself is a soft expression for prostitute, hence “night bird” is the poetic meaning. I thought it was a love song. My wife thought it was a prayer (probably because of the way Wazimbo lifts his eyes to the sky when he sings “Maria”). So, it is something like this, but there are mistakes, because the lines don’t match up. Also, I wonder if he is singing “Nwahulwana” when the song starts - . It’s hard to know since I don’t speak Ronga. 

Here are pieces I’ve found, but really the only line I’m sure of is the “iyo maria…” line.

Nhee, endua, endua

Nhee, endua, endua

(Two lines I don’t understand)

iyo maria ntombi yanga u ta tekua ha mani makwezo (ô Maria, minha menina, quem irá te casar)

Maria, my girl, who will marry you?

iyo maria ntombi yanga u ta tekua ha mani makwezo (ô Maria, minha menina, quem irá te casar)

Maria, my girl, who will marry you?

ni ngo leswi swaku famba usiko loko dzi pelile a swi yaki munti maulwana (digo isso porque essa mania de que quando anoitece tu sais de casa, isso não é produtivo não dar-te-á lar querida)
I say this, because your way you go out at night, it’s not productive, no, to give you a home, dear.

ni ngo leswi swaku famba usiko loko dzi pelile a swi yaki munti maulwana (digo isso porque essa mania de que quando anoitece tu sais de casa, isso não é produtivo não dar-te-á lar querida)

I say this, because your way you go out at night, it’s not productive, no, to give you a home, dear.

ni ngo leswi swa ku tsama ma bare loko dzi pelile u ta tekua ha mani maulwana o. o. o.
(digo essa mania de ficares nos bares quando anoitece. Quem te irá casar querida. oh)

I say this way you stay in bars after dark. Who will marry you, dear? Oh.

ni ngo leswi swa ku tsama ma bare loko dzi pelile u ta tekua ha mani maulwana o. o. o.
(digo essa mania de ficares nos bares quando anoitece. Quem te irá casar querida. oh)

I say this way you stay in bars after dark. Who will marry you, dear? Oh.

iyo maria ntombi yanga u ta tekua ha mani makwezo (ô Maria, minha menina, quem irá te casar)

Maria, my girl, who will marry you?

iyo maria ntombi yanga u ta tekua ha mani makwezo (ô Maria, minha menina, quem irá te casar)

Maria, my girl, who will marry you?

iyo maria ntombi yanga u ta tekua ha mani maulwana o. o. o. (ô Maria, minha menina, quem irá te casar)

Maria, my girl, who will marry you, dear?

ni ngo leswi swa ku tsama ma bare loko dzi pelile u ta tekua ha mani maulwana o. o. o.
(digo essa mania de ficares nos bares quando anoitece. Quem te irá casar querida. oh)

I say this way you stay in bars after dark. Who will marry you, dear? Oh.

swi ni tcxela ni uswete maria a ku kala un nga tsami kaya maria
(é deprimente. Dá até pena, Maria, o facto de não ficares em casa quando anoitece, Maria.)

It’s depressing. It is pitiful, Maria, the way you cannot stay home when night falls, Maria.