Jambo Bwana
Encyclopedia
"Jambo Bwana" is one of the best internationally-known Kenya
n pop songs. It was first released in 1982 by Kenyan band Them Mushrooms
, and later covered by a number of other groups and artists, including Mombasa Roots
, Safari Sound Band
, Khadja Nin
, Adam Solomon
and the German
group Boney M.. Some versions come under different titles, such as "Jambo Jambo" and "Hakuna Matata".
"Jambo Bwana" has been largely adopted as a hotel pop song, targeting a tourist audience. Its lyrics (especially in some versions) can be regarded as a compendium of swahili language for tourist, as it includes several common phrases and greetings, such as habari gani? nzuri sana ("how are things going? very well") and hakuna matata ("no problem"). The original version by Them Mushrooms also included lines celebrating swahili language, reggae music, Africa, and "mushroom soup" (a reference to psilocybin mushroom
s).
, in particular, is one of the most played songs in tourist venues in East Africa
. The use of the swahili phrase "hakuna matata" in Disney
's classic "The Lion King
" might be a reference to the chorus of the song.
Them Mushrooms released the song in several of their albums, and both their version and cover version of the songs are found in many compilation of African pop music, including those dedicated to parties and children (such as the African Playground CD published by Putumayo Kids
).
version "Jambo Jambo" has the central part of the lyrics changed, with references to reggae and mushrooms being replaced by other tourist-oriented common Swahili phrases such as Kenya ni nchi nzuri ("Kenya is a beautiful country").
provided the song's lead vocals, backed by Reggie Tsiboe
, Frank Farian
, Cathy Bartney, Madeleine Davis, and Judy Cheeks
. The single was intended to be included in the group's untitled seventh album, to be released in the fall of 1983. Due to a poor chart performance (#48 in the German charts), the single ultimately was not included in the album (which was completely reworked and not released until May 1984 as Ten Thousand Lightyears
).
Several mixes of "Jambo" were made. The 4:06 mix (as featured in the accompanying music video) was only released in Spain and Portugal. A 3:39 edit was released elsewhere. The full 7:44 version was only released on the Spanish and Portuguese 12" singles - the German 12" single (despite crediting the timing 7:42 on the label) was actually an edit of 5:35. In France, an even shorter edit 5:15 was released.
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
n pop songs. It was first released in 1982 by Kenyan band Them Mushrooms
Them Mushrooms
Them Mushrooms is a musical band from Kenya, playing mostly Chakacha, some Benga and also some reggae. They are most famous for the Swahili song Jambo Bwana. The band is composed of Teddy Kalanda, Henry Ndenge Saha and Ben Mutwiwa. They mainly do covers of previously written hit songs.The group was...
, and later covered by a number of other groups and artists, including Mombasa Roots
Mombasa Roots
Mombasa Roots are a Kenyan afropop/hotel pop musical group. They have recorded some of the most successful hit singles in Kenyan pop music, such as Disco Chakacha and Kata...
, Safari Sound Band
Safari Sound Band
Safari Sound Band is a Kenyan hotel pop band. In over twenty years of activity, they were certified platinum four times, and their recordings of Swahili classics such as "Jambo Bwana" and "Malaika" are well-known. They have published a number of CDs, featuring cover versions of African evergreens...
, Khadja Nin
Khadja Nin
Khadja Nin is a Burundian singer and musician. She was born in Burundi as the youngest of a family of eight. Her father was a diplomat. She studied music at an early age like most of her brothers and sisters...
, Adam Solomon
Adam Solomon
Adam "The Professor" Solomon is a Juno Award-winning composer, guitar maestro, and singer. Solomon began performing at an early age, playing the kivoti and the at village celebrations and festivals...
and the German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
group Boney M.. Some versions come under different titles, such as "Jambo Jambo" and "Hakuna Matata".
"Jambo Bwana" has been largely adopted as a hotel pop song, targeting a tourist audience. Its lyrics (especially in some versions) can be regarded as a compendium of swahili language for tourist, as it includes several common phrases and greetings, such as habari gani? nzuri sana ("how are things going? very well") and hakuna matata ("no problem"). The original version by Them Mushrooms also included lines celebrating swahili language, reggae music, Africa, and "mushroom soup" (a reference to psilocybin mushroom
Psilocybin mushroom
Psilocybin mushrooms are fungi that contain the psychoactive compounds psilocybin and psilocin. There are multiple colloquial terms for psilocybin mushrooms, the most common being shrooms or magic mushrooms....
s).
Popularity
"Jambo Bwana" by Them Mushrooms was a huge commercial success, selling over 200.000 copies between 1982 and 1987 and getting platinum certification in Kenya. As a consequence of this popularity, many other bands covered the songs, in some cases with a similar success; the version by Safari Sound BandSafari Sound Band
Safari Sound Band is a Kenyan hotel pop band. In over twenty years of activity, they were certified platinum four times, and their recordings of Swahili classics such as "Jambo Bwana" and "Malaika" are well-known. They have published a number of CDs, featuring cover versions of African evergreens...
, in particular, is one of the most played songs in tourist venues in East Africa
East Africa
East Africa or Eastern Africa is the easterly region of the African continent, variably defined by geography or geopolitics. In the UN scheme of geographic regions, 19 territories constitute Eastern Africa:...
. The use of the swahili phrase "hakuna matata" in Disney
Walt Disney
Walter Elias "Walt" Disney was an American film producer, director, screenwriter, voice actor, animator, entrepreneur, entertainer, international icon, and philanthropist, well-known for his influence in the field of entertainment during the 20th century. Along with his brother Roy O...
's classic "The Lion King
The Lion King
The Lion King is a 1994 American animated film produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation and released by Walt Disney Pictures. It is the 32nd feature in the Walt Disney Animated Classics series...
" might be a reference to the chorus of the song.
Them Mushrooms released the song in several of their albums, and both their version and cover version of the songs are found in many compilation of African pop music, including those dedicated to parties and children (such as the African Playground CD published by Putumayo Kids
Putumayo World Music
Putumayo World Music is a New York City based record label, now specialising in compilations of music from various nations, regions or musical styles which may be classified as world music.-Etymology:...
).
Covers
Some of the covers of "Jambo Bwana" come under different titles and have modified lyrics. The Boney M. version, released in 1983, is entitled "Jambo - Hakuna Matata" and lyrics are in English and almost completely different; only the famous "jambo bwana" and "hakuna matata" lines have been preserved. The Safari Sound BandSafari Sound Band
Safari Sound Band is a Kenyan hotel pop band. In over twenty years of activity, they were certified platinum four times, and their recordings of Swahili classics such as "Jambo Bwana" and "Malaika" are well-known. They have published a number of CDs, featuring cover versions of African evergreens...
version "Jambo Jambo" has the central part of the lyrics changed, with references to reggae and mushrooms being replaced by other tourist-oriented common Swahili phrases such as Kenya ni nchi nzuri ("Kenya is a beautiful country").
Partial list of "Jambo Bwana" versions
| Artist | Title | Album | Year | Notes |
| Them Mushrooms Them Mushrooms Them Mushrooms is a musical band from Kenya, playing mostly Chakacha, some Benga and also some reggae. They are most famous for the Swahili song Jambo Bwana. The band is composed of Teddy Kalanda, Henry Ndenge Saha and Ben Mutwiwa. They mainly do covers of previously written hit songs.The group was... |
"Jambo Bwana" | 1982 | Released on several albums, inclusi Jambo Bwana and Songs from Kenya (Them Mushrooms) and African Playground (Putumayo compilation) | |
| Boney M. | "Jambo - Hakuna Matata" | 1983 | Only released as a single, with lyrics in English | |
| Mombasa Roots Mombasa Roots Mombasa Roots are a Kenyan afropop/hotel pop musical group. They have recorded some of the most successful hit singles in Kenyan pop music, such as Disco Chakacha and Kata... |
"Jambo Bwana" | Msa Mombasa | 1987 | |
| Bo Katzman & the Katz Kids | "Jambo Bwana" | Katz Kids singed Wälthits | 1990 | |
| Safari Sound Band Safari Sound Band Safari Sound Band is a Kenyan hotel pop band. In over twenty years of activity, they were certified platinum four times, and their recordings of Swahili classics such as "Jambo Bwana" and "Malaika" are well-known. They have published a number of CDs, featuring cover versions of African evergreens... |
"Jambo Jambo" | Mambo Jambo Mambo Jambo Mambo Jambo is the alternative name of the song by Perez Prado Qué rico el mambo.The term may also refer to:* A song of Scatman John's album Scatman's World* A theme clubbing night of Zouk club, in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur... (2001), The Best of African Songs, and others |
1999 | Simplified lyrics |
| Love Whip | "Jambo Bwana" | Bouncehall | 2003 | |
| Adam Solomon Adam Solomon Adam "The Professor" Solomon is a Juno Award-winning composer, guitar maestro, and singer. Solomon began performing at an early age, playing the kivoti and the at village celebrations and festivals... |
"Jambo Bwana / Hakuna Matata" | Mti Wa Maisha | 2004 | |
| Klaus Hallen | "Jambo Bwana / Lala Salama" | Samba Collection | ||
| Khadja Nin Khadja Nin Khadja Nin is a Burundian singer and musician. She was born in Burundi as the youngest of a family of eight. Her father was a diplomat. She studied music at an early age like most of her brothers and sisters... |
"Jambo Bwana" | Based on Safari Sound Band's lyrics |
Boney M. version
In 1983, German group Boney M. released "Jambo - Hakuna Matata". Liz MitchellLiz Mitchell
Liz Mitchell is a singer, best known as the former lead singer of the 1970s disco/pop band, Boney M.-Early life:...
provided the song's lead vocals, backed by Reggie Tsiboe
Reggie Tsiboe
Reggie Tsiboe was born on 7 September 1950 in Kumasi was one of the lead singers of the disco group Boney M. between 1982-1986 and later between 1989-1990....
, Frank Farian
Frank Farian
Frank Farian , is a German record producer and songwriter. He started out as a trained cook before moving into the music industry...
, Cathy Bartney, Madeleine Davis, and Judy Cheeks
Judy Cheeks
Judy Cheeks is a female dance music singer born in Miami, Florida in 1954 and is the daughter of gospel singer and preacher Rev. Julius Cheeks. In 1978 she hit #10 on the Hot Dance Club Play chart with "Mellow Lovin'," and then had a career resurgence in the 1990s, when she re-emerged with a...
. The single was intended to be included in the group's untitled seventh album, to be released in the fall of 1983. Due to a poor chart performance (#48 in the German charts), the single ultimately was not included in the album (which was completely reworked and not released until May 1984 as Ten Thousand Lightyears
Ten Thousand Lightyears
Ten Thousand Lightyears is the seventh studio album by Boney M. and the first to feature new member Reggie Tsiboe who had taken over Bobby Farrell's role as the band's leading man in early 1982...
).
Several mixes of "Jambo" were made. The 4:06 mix (as featured in the accompanying music video) was only released in Spain and Portugal. A 3:39 edit was released elsewhere. The full 7:44 version was only released on the Spanish and Portuguese 12" singles - the German 12" single (despite crediting the timing 7:42 on the label) was actually an edit of 5:35. In France, an even shorter edit 5:15 was released.