Miriam Makeba performs Qongqothwane (The Click Song) live on Ce soir à Cannes, May 18, 1963. Here is a link to an English translation of the lyrics, since several people have commented asking for one: lyricstranslate.com/en/qongqt....
For those of you discovering Miriam Makeba for the first time, I would like to point out that it was not only her beautiful music that made her famous worldwide. She spoke out against apartheid in South Africa, and delivered an eloquent speech before the United Nations in 1963. This caused her to be banned from her own native country for 31 years. She was not even allowed to return to South Africa to attend the funeral of her own mother. She was strong, beautiful, and courageous. May her soul rest in peace, and may many generations be inspired by her.
ok wow! so this sista was just DAM DOPE and amazing on every level!!!! I don't have nothing but love and respect for this magnificent and talented creature!!!!!🔥🔥🔥🌹🌹🌹🌹🖤❤💚
She looked so shy and nervous when she was talking but the moment the music kicked in it was like she immediately channelled to her energetic expressive self. It’s magical how music affects people.
There is nothing wrong with being shy and humble. I see the shame a lot of people in the west have associated with shyness. They think it means you lack confidence. In many cultures however, it isn't frown upon to be shy. It also isn't seen as a weakness or lack of confidence. I feel many introverts in western cultures have to practice being out going, because apparently that is the only personality that is praised, which is a shame really.
I love her confidence when she said that English speakers can't pronounce the name of the song. There's a real sense of pride in her voice for her language.
@@EMD1792 I’m pretty sure that is definitely not what they meant, what I think they mean is that they’re happy she’s so prideful in her language. And she was not wrong about English speakers not being able to sing it because most cannot.
There is linguistic supremacy? lol becausd they said pride in here language... even if I take your dumb comment seriously. Try not to be an idiot on the internet. @@EMD1792
Many people across the world cannot make the sounds found in many languages not native to them. This is not usual or limited to this language or any race.
Used to hear this song a fair bit in SA in the 90s. I always assumed it was because Bic used the track to advertise their Bic 'click' pens. The clicks did make learning Xhosa as a 3rd language rather fun 😊
Miriam Makeba was a legend long before the internet existed. There used to be things like radios and TVs and tapes and records...... But, I am glad new generations are discovering this amazing lady.
Me too I think Xhosa is so expressive and I wish I could speak it like I could as a child. We should treasure languages because when you learn a new language you learn a new way of life
@@elsahoffmann8719 Language is so much more than a communication tool, it's a framework for how we think and interpret reality. Like how some colors exist for speakers of certain languages, but not others. When a language dies, a whole world is lost along with it.
So a couple of things: * It's wild that the clicks of the Xhosa language evolved, testament to the variety of sounds humans can make to communicate. * Miriam Makeba was singing this live, no autotune. Now that's a good live performance.
Any attitude is read by you. I was celebrating her voice. Not everything on the internet has to be negative, like someone assuming you have an attitude.
@@AshenElk there's just no context for auto tune here, at all. It seems like you just have some sort of bias about auto tune that you inserted for no particular reason
@@gordonmahrer5907 when an artist does something out of pure love the results are sublime...you can see it in their face, you can sense it with your heart and your ears..🤗✨✨
I am a 74 year old white southern woman. I recall seeing Miriam Makeba on television a few times back when I was young. She was so talented, beautiful and joyful. She deserved a better audience than the politely interested middle aged white group shown in this film, that’s for sure.
There's no way you saw her on Television, south of the Mason Dixon line. They wouldn't even show certain movies with back then, with "Colored Folks" in them. I'm glad you appreciate the music, but I had to call that out. Now you can prove me wrong with evidence, and I will accept it.
@@thomascarroll39 its funny that you think its ok to still say "colored folks" while correcting a senior citizen and telling her that her experience and comment are invalid. Dont be that person.
My daughter was crying her little heart out for the first months. What gave her calm was this song. I put it on and she was in awe. I actually tried my best to learn to pronounce the click sounds and still sing it to her, almost four years later. This is a fantastic and clear version I am going to show to her later. Goodbye Mama Africa
For mine it was "Rock You" by Queen. I used to put her in a wrap snug to my chest and softly beatbox the stomp stomp clap sound which she found soothing!
She was such a smart and very well spoken lady. She was also not afraid of the truth and kept true to her beliefs and what was in such trying times in South Africa. One of the greatest women of South Africa
@@Cindy-vg9ki many people from a non English speaking place aren’t so eloquent in English. I know as a white woman I’d sound like a fool trying to speak isiXhosa to South Africans who don’t know English. I give fluent speakers of multiple languages so much respect, it’s so difficult✊
I love this song. I remember as 13 year old listening to her music and being so impressed not only with her singing but her speaking out against apartheid. I went to the barber and cut my hair as short as hers. My father was livid because I had long hair back then but my mother didn't seem to mind. Great woman.
I was fortunate to see her perform with Paul Simon's Graceland tour in 1987. I'm glad she realized her dream " to invite Paul Simon to play in a FREE South Africa." She sang a set in Xhosa, and shared the stage with Hugh Masakela and Ladysmith Black Mambazo. A seminal moment in my life.
She is one of the top wishes or destinations choices of what my brother and I would call our Music Time Machine, meaning that if we have a musical time machine where we could go back in time to attend any concerts from the past, Miss Makeba would be amongst our top choices.
My favorite thing about the internet is discovering people and learning about different cultures. The most beautiful thing about music is you don't necessarily have to know the language in order to get the spirit of the song. This is really beautiful
I love that the internet can connect you, not just to videos like this, but people on the other side of the world who can share their pasts, present and dreams for the future with each other. We find that we are so different, but still all the same.
@@JorgensZelda now if only the "leaders" of the world would realize it too. Most of us want the same things-a decent place to live, enough food that no one knows starvation, safe schools so our children can do better than we did, love, respect, compassion, freedom from oppression. These are things all human beings deserve
This video brought back such happy childhood memories. We had a record of her singing this and “Pata Pata.” I spent many hours trying to sing this with the clicks. So glad the poster shared this!
I’m here because of The Voice “African Edition” and this woman sung this song so good! It gave me goosebumps so I had to come here to listen to the original singer. She’s stunning 😍😍🔥
She radiates so much when she smiles. It's like she is singing with her whole heart and spirit. She's beautiful. Been a fan of hers since I was in elementary school. She continues to amaze me even now.
I actually heard this song sung by a different artist in a different language. Ismael Lo had it on one of his albums. I like this singer better though.
This type of music needs to be preserved and documented so it won't be forgotten. Music is a great educative tool to use to teach people about different cultures.
@@valevisa8429 woah, you did well to stop the conversation with "Trevor". There's something not right about him. He lures folks by encouraging them to accept his emails instead of chatting here. Loves to ask the weather. I highly doubt he is from Ohio. Lol.
Back in the 60s, I used to go to my cousin's house every Saturday and hang out with her and my aunt. My aunt would play her records, and we would listen to Harry Belafonte, Odetta, Miriam Makeba, others. It was something to look forward to, but I appreciate it even more now than I did when I was a kid. My aunt was cool.
She has an indescribable but very real beauty that is hard to come by, especially these days. I feel so fortunate to come across a clip like this. Strong, dignified, wise, maternal.
She's very natural and wearing almost no/no makeup. Women now days do that all the time. I don't know why you are saying that women these days don't have this beauty? Also why is her beauty indescribable? I would describe her as being physically beautiful in a natural way and very graceful and poised in her bearing. Idk, your comment kind of confused me.
@@lolaispure4296 Women like what? I'm having a hard time grasping what is the ephemeral quality that this woman possesses that is currently extinct in modern society. Could you enlighten me?
@@ameliakennedy4428 if you have an african grand mother/ aunt/ relative that grew up in the forties or fifties, from an afluent family you can grasp better what her beauty has that is special. Indeed she is poised and gracious, and not a lot of african women are like this anymore. Education, values and circumstances changed with the years.
Hey there! I came across your comment and I just had to reach out and say hi. Your perspective really caught my attention and I would love to get to know you better. Would you be interested in chatting sometime? Looking forward to hearing back from you! 😊
Amazing. I met her once in The Netherlands. I had to check it, but it was in 1989. She was doing a concert with Paul Simon. My friend and I went to the hotel they were staying and that's where we met her. Paul already left. She was thanking US for coming to see the show.
I have a story to share about Ms. Makeba that goes back to 1987 and Paul Simon's Graceland tour with Ladysmith Black Mambazo. My now-husband and I saw the tour at DTE Energy Center, formerly Pine Knob, in Michigan. Miriam was a surprise guest for the show and just before coming out onstage, had twisted her foot or hurt herself in some way, so she sat on a high stool instead and sang her heart out. I will never forget that entire show and how beautiful Miriam's smile was!
My Dad had a trading store in KwaZulu-Natal. He also sold seven single records of South African indigenous artists. I used to listen to the original record of this song, and learnt all the words. I also managed to pronounce the clicks correctly. This was 60 years ago when I was 12 years old. It was a revelation to me to listen to this song again and realize I still knew all the words.
When I was in San Francisco back in the 60's I was lucky enough to find Miriam Makeba where she used to perform and I used to go and listen to her. This has always been one of my favorite of her songs.
I am from South Africa. I am so privileged to see the face of this singer. Over the year's we had heard the click song and a lot of us loved it. Music is music no matter who you are. And yip we can't say the click sound. 😱 I blame my tongue for this. 😁
I remember way back in 1975 when my parents, siblings and I were stationed at the Kenysn Embassy in Addis Ababa in Ethiopia and listening to my late daddy's record of Miriam Makeba's Pata Pata record. I was hypnotized by her diverse vocal range and that exotic sound in her songs. Flash forward 48 years later, mrs Makeba is in heaven, the sixties are gone but her music lives on and her message is still resonating anywhere black people are oppressed. Its so bittersweet for me. RIP mama Africa. 👍❤❤❤🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
@@bobibg4ever I don't know about genetics, but: the darker skin tone make the tooth seem whiter. And maybe cultural eating. Harder foods "clean" the teeth like a tooth brush. Or they avoid foods that stain, like coffee. Just assumptions to train my english :p
@@ericaramosaugusto3374 Good points but color aside, Africans seem to have better teeth in terms of straighteness, tooth size and shape. I think it ties in with them having very strong hair and stronger skin.
MIRIAN MAKE A I HEARD HER SON PATA PATA.NNIM FROM S.AMERICS N.MY GRADMA WAS BLACK N MY GRANDPA FROM SPAIN.GUAYAQUIL.ECUADOR WE HAVE A SMALL CITY IT IS CALL ESMERALDA COMO LA PIEDRA PRECIOSA QUE TE COMPRAS EN UNA JOYERIA Y MI PADRE ELIAS BODERO AULESTIA PLAYED.GUITAR.N ACCORDION.N ORGAN.HE LOVE MUSIC THAT HE INVENTED A JUKE BOX MUSIC 🎵 PLAYER N HE BUILD IT WITH HIS OWEN HAND.S N I WAS ALWAYS NEXT TO HIM WATCHING HIM BUILD IT BUT HE DECIDED TO MOVED TO BROOKLYN.N.Y.WITH THE HELP OF MY DEAR AUNTIE.EMPERATRIZ BODERO AULESTIA DE CASTILLO GRACIAS.THANK YOU VERY MUCH RIP HOPE THE LORD HAVE YOU IN A GREAT PLACE N THANK YOU VERY TO MY COUSIN MARIANA SANCHEZ.BODERO DE VILLAREAL IM VERY THANKFULLY TO MY TWO FAVORITES PERSON MERRY CHRISTMAS 2021 HOPE YOU ENJOY IT N MAKE SURE YOU PUT YOUR MASK 😷🎭🎭😷🎵💙🖤😊💚😆♥️😌😁💖❤️❤️☺️💝🤩😂😂💗💔💕💘🥰🧡🥰🧡🥰💜💜💜💜♥️
She makes this entire song with her beautiful voice. She's incredible, from her mesmerising beauty to her soulful vocals and vocal instruments. Would love a documentary or tv show about her life experiences etc.
I discovered Miriam Makeba in the 1960s and return to her music every so often. It takes me back to my youth. Though I do not understand the words, her voice transports me to happy times🙏🏽
"Iqhirha lendlela kuthwa nguqonqothwane" I don't know what she's saying. But I can sing the whole thing. And I can write and pronounce Xhase 💯 I just don't know what it means. It shares few words with language which is Zulu. The group of languages is called Nguni. It is Zulu Xhosa Swati Ndebele and there may be more. These are Southern African language. South Africa has over 15 languages alone of which 11 are official. The country with the most official languages in the world. We speak English Afrikaans Venda Sotho Pedi Tsonga Zulu Tswana Xhosa Ndebele Swati Sepulane and many more. It's crazy
Greetings from Kyiv🇺🇦 The vocal style in this great peace of music shares some resemblance with our Ukrainian traditional singing that proves that "people are the same wherever you go"!!!
My friend, I dearly hope that you and your family are safe and well during this awful time. If you celebrate Christmas, I wish you a merry one--and a happy, secure, and peaceful new year.
@@maybeIAMthetuba Many thanks!! I was lucky to be in Turkey with my family when the invasion started so we're safe. Happy Holidays to you and your loved ones too!!!
She is and always will be beautiful. I have been listening to her wonderful music for over 40 years! Thank you Mama Africa I’m sure your still singing away, on the beautiful side. 🙏🏼🇬🇧
I remember seeing her performance of this song on TV in black&white. I was 7 or 8. I remember adults pushing us kids to follow news of her. She was so pretty. A major part why I always have believed in civil rights and morality. The way of hatred is never morally acceptable.
I just stumbled across this video my mum was named Miriam & whenever I see her name I feel like she’s reaching out to me since she passed over a year ago now. Hi mummy ❤
No one can hit dislkie button after hearing this style of song....those who had hit dislike has purposefully did to show hatrate for her and all african people
From a white person, I find that talent beyond amazing. It’d take me decades to learn to do what she does effortlessly. I love the variety of talents of different peoples in this world. I hope one day we will grow out of our social media infancy, and focus on our differences as beautiful rather than hate
She resembles the history ,solidity that the african culture has been through and able to overcome through all odds , she still defines the history south africa carries
I first learned of Miriam Makeba in 1968. I was going to college, and my uncle gave me a cassette player and some tapes. Among them was a tape of Miriam Makeba. My uncle lived in Europe and had been to South Africa and learned of her. I was mesmerized by her voice and by her music. I don't listen to music, I feel music, so the language was not a barrier to me. This is the first really good video of Qongqothwane that I have ever seen on RU-vid. Thank you so much, Spiked Candy, for sharing it.
I remember Trevor Noah singing part of this song and being awed by it. Thank you for sharing Miriam Makeba's music with us - she is incredible as a singer and a person.
According to my late mother i knew how to speak “click” as a little baby… She had a refugee from South Africa living in her house a period back in the mid 60’s.
Honestly I have watched this video several times during the previous weeks. This song pops up to my recommendations over and over again and I always watch it. I have been pretty depressed lately but this song brings me so much happiness that I can’t even explain. I don’t know why. But she is beautiful, her smile is so beautiful and the song is very beautiful and it makes me emotional 😢
This is the first song I'm listening from Miriam Makeba. Wow. I'm amazed by her autenticity, energy and beauty. I'm looking forward to discover more from her. I've read on the top comment that she was banned from her native country because of her speech against apartheid. Now I have more respect for Makeba and want to know more. When I know more I'll tell about her to my students during one of my my music lessons.
She had to flee after she spoke out against Apartheid. Her life was in danger. The threats were honest. She had seen alot of her friends disappear before she fled the country. She only came back after she got a phone call from Nelson Mandela in 1991.
"Iqhirha lendlela kuthwa nguqonqothwane" I don't know what it means even though I am South African. Xhosa language is hard. I can write it only because it's the same as Zulu in terms of spelling. I am Zulu. Til today I don't know what she's saying. But I can sing the whole song fluently. Clicks and all.
Miriam Makeba,to me was one of most greatest woman, that ever lived.there were a period in my life,where her song spoke to the depths of my soul, brought years to eyes.had not listen since.it made me grow into who i am now.love you mama Africa!
