Teacher: “Jambo Bwana” Class: “Jambo Bwana”Ĭ. Have students repeat short parts of the song after teacher sings (Example Below) Sing Jambo Bwana for the class while clapping/tapping the beat.ī. The song is in Swahili, Kenya’s national language.Ī. Jambo Bwana was first recorded in Kenya in 1980 by Teddy Kalanda Harrison, the bandleader of Them Mushrooms. After short discussion, give students background on Jambo Bwana: Even though the language is unfamiliar, did anyone recognize a word/phrase? – Hakuna Matata from Disney’s Lion Kingĭ. Does anyone recognize the language sung in the song? Has anyone ever heard this before? If so where? Ask students for reactions/comments after listening. Play the youtube clip of Jambo Bwana and have the students listen. Tell the students today we will be continuing our exploration of Kenyan music by learning the song “Jambo Bwana” and incorporating instruments.ī. Introduction/Building Background KnowledgeĪ. Kenya is located in Eastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean, between Somalia and Tanzania.ġ. Jambo Bwana is a popular song used to learn basic Swahili terms. The language incorporated elements of both classical Arabic and Bantu dialects, and became the mother tongue of the Swahili people who themselves rose from the marriages between Arab and African cultures. Swahili originated on the East African coast as a trade language used by both Arabs and coastal tribes. Swahili (locally referred to as KiSwahili) is Kenya's national language. Jambo is one of the most common words spoken throughout Kenya as it is the simplest Swahili greeting, and is often the first word learned by visitors to Kenya.

hand drum, maracas, sand blocks, cabasas, guiros) If in large classroom, computer projector/screen to project the youtube clip for class Computer with internet connection to access ( ) Copies of Jambo Bwana lyrics for all students Additionally, this lesson could be used in Literacy through reading children’s literature from/about Kenya. This lesson connects with Social Studies or Cultural Studies. I feel the more often students can be exposed to different cultures, ideas, music, etc – the more accepting and understanding they will become. I feel this lesson brings an aspect of Kenyan music into the classroom as well as an unfamiliar language (Swahili).

Why is it important students learn my lesson? What academic subject will I link to?Ĭultural awareness and appreciation are extremely important ideas/values for students to learn. Given instruction and musical instruments, students will collaborate in small groups to perform the song Jambo Bwana for the class. Students will improvise a rhythm to accompany Jambo Bwana given musical instruments.ģ. Given instruction, students will learn to sing the words of Jambo Bwana.Ģ. Topic: Jambo Bwana Singing/Movement Date: October 8, 2009Ģ.a.: Perform on pitch, rhythm, with appropriate dynamics and timbre, and maintain a steady tempoĨ.b.: Describe ways in which the principle and subject matter of other disciplines taught in the school are interrelated with those of musicĪ.4.2: Sing expressively with appropriate dynamics, phrasing and interpretationĪ.4.4: Sing ostinati, partner songs and roundsġ. Het nummer is verschillende keren gecoverd en kan nog vaak gehoord worden in Afrika.Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable Jambo Bwana Het nummer, geschreven door Teddy Kalanda Harrison in 1980, is tot op de dag van vandaag behoorlijk populair in Kenia en Tanzania.

The song was also covered by numerous local artists and is heard throughout Kenya and Tanzania.ĭe Keniaanse band Them Mushrooms bracht in 1982 het nummer Jambo Bwana (Hé meneer) uit. In 2001 the Safari Sound Band released the album Mambo Jambo, which featured the song (aka Jambo Jambo) as the title track. The song, written by band leader Teddy Kalanda Harrison in 1980, has become widely popular in Kenya and Tanzania. In 1982, the Kenyan hotel band Them Mushrooms released the song “Jambo Bwana” (“Hello Mister”). Lyrics with translations below.Įen lied dat je gewoon moet kennen als je naar Kenia gaat. The song to know when traveling to Kenya.

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