Zambia National Anthem: Difference between revisions

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==Introduction==
[[File:Coat of arms of Zambia.png|thumbnail|right|Coat of arms of Zambia]]
The tune is taken from the hymn Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika (God Bless Africa), which was composed by a South African, Enoch Sontonga, in 1897. The lyrics were composed after Zambian independence to specifically reflect Zambia, as opposed to Sontonga's lyrics which refer to Africa as a whole.
"'''Stand and Sing of Zambia, Proud and Free'''" is the national anthem of [[Zambia]]. The tune is taken from the hymn ''Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika'' (God Bless Africa), which was composed by a South African, Enoch Sontonga, in 1897. The lyrics were composed after Zambian independence to specifically reflect Zambia, as opposed to Sontonga's lyrics which refer to Africa as a whole.


==History==
== History ==
== History ==
''Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika'' started to become popular in South Africa in 1923 as a Christian hymn. Its popularity spread around Africa through churches and the tune became associated with [[African nationalism]] movements. Following the passing of the [[Zambia Independence Act 1964]] in the [[Parliament of the United Kingdom]] enacting Zambia's independence from the United Kingdom, Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika was adopted as the national anthem of Zambia,<ref name=zam>{{cite web|url=http://www.zambezitraveller.com/livingstone/history/zambia%E2%80%99s-national-anthem-history |title=Zambia's national anthem: a history |publisher=Zambezi Traveller |date=2013-06-26 |accessdate=2014-04-30}}</ref> replacing [[God Save the Queen]], the anthem of [[Northern Rhodesia]]. Shortly afterwards, it was decided that new words set to the tune of ''Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika'' would be needed for Zambia's national anthem. A national competition was held for the new words. However, none of the entries were deemed good enough to be used in full for the anthem. As a result, six of the entries were merged to create "Stand and Sing of Zambia, Proud and Free" and the entrants selected were awarded prizes. The authors credited for the composition were G Ellis, E.S. Musonda, J.M.S. Lichilana, I Lowe, J Sajiwandani and R.J. Seal.<ref name=zam />
[[File:Enoch Sontonga.jpg|150px|thumbnail|left|Enoch Sontonga, composer of Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika]]
''Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika'' started to become popular in South Africa in 1923 as a Christian hymn. Its popularity spread around Africa through churches and the tune became associated with African nationalism movements. Following the passing of the [[Zambia Independence Act 1964]] in the Parliament of the United Kingdom enacting Zambia's independence from the United Kingdom, Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika was adopted as the national anthem of Zambia,<ref name=zam>[http://www.zambezitraveller.com/livingstone/history/zambia%E2%80%99s-national-anthem-history Zambia's national anthem: a history, Zambezi Traveller, 26 June 2013]</ref> replacing ''God Save the Queen'', the anthem of [[Northern Rhodesia]]. Shortly afterwards, it was decided that new words set to the tune of ''Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika'' would be needed for Zambia's national anthem. A national competition was held for the new words. However, none of the entries were deemed good enough to be used in full for the anthem. As a result, six of the entries were merged to create "Stand and Sing of Zambia, Proud and Free" and the entrants selected were awarded prizes. The authors credited for the composition were G Ellis, E.S. Musonda, J.M.S. Lichilana, I Lowe, J Sajiwandani and R.J. Seal of [[Lusaka]].<ref name=zam />


In 1973, the [[National Assembly (Zambia)|National Assembly]] passed the National Anthem Act, which legally defined the English lyrics of "Stand and Sing of Zambia, Proud and Free" as the national anthem of Zambia. The Act also made it an offence to "insult or bring into contempt or ridicule" the anthem and granted the [[President of Zambia]] the rights to prescribe how the anthem is sung and to restrict its use.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zamlii.org/zm/legislation/consolidated-act/7 |title=National Anthem Act, Cap 7 |publisher=Zambia Legal Information Institute |date=1973-09-14 |accessdate=2014-04-30}}</ref>
In 1973, the [[National Assembly (Zambia)|National Assembly]] passed the National Anthem Act, which legally defined the English lyrics of "Stand and Sing of Zambia, Proud and Free" as the national anthem of Zambia. The Act also made it an offence to "insult or bring into contempt or ridicule" the anthem and granted the [[President of Zambia]] the rights to prescribe how the anthem is sung and to restrict its use.<ref>[http://www.zamlii.org/zm/legislation/consolidated-act/7 National Anthem Act, Cap 7, Zambia Legal Information Institute, 14 September 1973]</ref>


In 2005, Zambian women's groups petitioned for a number of the lyrics in "Stand and Sing of Zambia, Proud and Free" to be changed because they felt that they were too male orientated. In response, it was decreed that the current lyrics did include women in context and it was stated that "Stand and Sing of Zambia, Proud and Free" was "composed of historical lyrics that reflect the country's heritage."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nationalanthems.info/zm.htm |title=Zambia Âť |publisher=Nationalanthems.info |date=1964-10-24 |accessdate=2014-04-30}}</ref> In 2012, Professor Michelo Hansungule repeated the concerns that the anthem was too masculine. He also argued that because it had the same tune as the [[National Anthem of South Africa]], it might have intellectual property implications and suggested that Zambia's sovereignty could be questioned.<ref>{{cite web|first=Ernest |last=Chanda |url=http://www.postzambia.com/post-read_article.php?articleId=28739 |title=Coat of Arms, National Anthem outdated - Prof Hansungule |work=The Post |date=2012-08-29 |accessdate=2014-04-30}}</ref>
In 2005, Zambian women's groups petitioned for a number of the lyrics in "Stand and Sing of Zambia, Proud and Free" to be changed because they felt that they were too male orientated. In response, it was decreed that the current lyrics did include women in context and it was stated that "Stand and Sing of Zambia, Proud and Free" was "composed of historical lyrics that reflect the country's heritage."<ref>[http://www.nationalanthems.info/zm.htm, Nationalanthems.info]</ref> In 2012, Professor [[Michelo Hansungule]] repeated the concerns that the anthem was too masculine. He also argued that because it had the same tune as the National Anthem of South Africa, it might have intellectual property implications and suggested that Zambia's sovereignty could be questioned.<ref>[http://www.postzambia.com/post-read_article.php?articleId=28739 Coat of Arms, National Anthem outdated - Prof Hansungule, The Post, 29 August 2012]</ref>


==Bemba version==
==Lyrics==
====First verse====
Lumbanyeni Zambia, no kwanga,
Ne cilumba twange tuumfwane,
Mpalume sha bulwi bwa cine,
Twaliilubula.
Twikatane bonse.


====Second Verse====
===[[Bemba]] version===
Bonse tuli bana ba Africa,
'''First Verse'''
Uwasenaminwa na Lesa,
:Lumbanyeni Zambia, no kwanga,
Nomba bonse twendele pamo,
:Ne cilumba twange tuumfwane,
Twaliilubula.
:Mpalume sha bulwi bwa cine,
Twikatane bonse.
:Twaliilubula.
:Twikatane bonse.


====Third Verse====
'''Second verse'''
Fwe lukuta lwa Zambia lonse,
:Bonse tuli bana ba Africa,
Twikatane tubyo mutende,
:Uwasenaminwa na Lesa,
Pamo nga lubambe mu mulu,
:Nomba bonse twendele pamo,
Lumbanyeni Zambia.
:Twaliilubula.
Twikatane bonse.
:Twikatane bonse.


====Chorus====
'''Third verse'''
(Sung After Third Verse Only)
:Fwe lukuta lwa Zambia lonse,
:Twikatane tubyo mutende,
:Pamo nga lubambe mu mulu,
:Lumbanyeni Zambia.
:Twikatane bonse.


Lumbanyeni,
'''Chorus''' ''(Sung After Third Verse Only)''
Lesa, Lesa, wesu,
:Lumbanyeni,
Apale calo,
:Lesa, Lesa, wesu,
Zambia, Zambia, Zambia.
:Apale calo,
Fwe bantungwa
:Zambia, Zambia, Zambia.
Mu luunga lwa calo.
:Fwe bantungwa
Lumbanyeni Zambia.
:Mu luunga lwa calo.
Twikatane bonse.
:Lumbanyeni Zambia.
:Twikatane bonse.


==English version==
===[[Chinyanja]]/[[Chewa]] version===

Stand and sing of Zambia, proud and free,
'''First Verse'''
Land of work and joy in unity,
:Imani timtamande Zambia,
Victors in the struggle for the right, 

:Dziko la cimwemwe ndi umodzi
We've won freedom's fight. 
All one, strong and free. 


:Ife tinamenyera ufulu,
:Tinapata ufuluwu:
:Umodzi ndi mphamvu


Africa is our own motherland, 

'''Second Verse'''
Fashion'd with and blessed by God's good hand, 

:Africa ndiye Mayi wathu
Let us all her people join as one,
:Dzanja la Mbuye lamdalitsa

Brothers under the sun. 

:Tiyeni tonse tigwirizane
All one, strong and free. 


:Ndife abale m'dziko:
:Umodzi ndi mphamvu


One land and one nation is our cry, 

'''Third Verse'''
Dignity and peace 'neath Zambia's sky,  
:Dziko limodzi, mtundu umodzi

Like our noble eagle in its flight, 

:Ndi cilakolako cathutu
Zambia-praise to thee. 

:Ulemu ndi mtendere m'dziko
All one, strong and free. 

:Monga nkwazi m'mwamba:
:Umodzi ndi mphamvu


Chorus (Sung after the third verse only)


'''Chorus''' ''(Sung After Third Verse Only)''
:Timtamande Mlungu, Mlungu wathu,
:Adalitse Zambia, Zambia Zambia
:Omasuka pansi pa ndembela yathu
:Zambia timtamande:
:Umodzi ndi mphamvu.


Praise be to God,
===[[Tonga]] version===
Praise be, praise be, praise be,
'''First Verse'''
Bless our great nation,
:Atumutembaule Zambia,
Zambia, Zambia, Zambia, 

:mbotubelekela antoomwe,
Free men we stand

:Twakazunda akwaanguluka,
Under the flag of our land, 

:Akulilela,
Zambia, praise to thee. 

:Toonse Tuswangane.
All one, strong and free.
 
'''Second verse'''
:Afrika mbabaama besu,
:Cisi cakalelekw' aLeza,
:Toonse tobantu tuswaangane,
:Mubwanabokwabo,
:Zambia Omubotu.
 
'''Third verse'''
:Ciinga comwe ncotulilila,
:Mbulemu aluumuno mucisi,
:Mbuli Sikwaze Mbwauluka,
:Zambia, omubotu,
:Toonse Tuswangane.
 
'''Chorus''' ''(Sung After Third Verse Only)''
:Atulumbe,
:Leza Leza Wesu
:Cisi Cesu:
:Zambia, Zambia, Zambia,
:Andembela,
:yuunga mucisi cesu,
:Zambia Omubotu,
:Toonse Tuswangane.
 
===English version===
'''First Verse'''
:Stand and sing for Zambia, proud and free,
:Land of work and joy in unity,
:Victors in the struggle for our rights,
:We've won freedom's fight.
:All one, Strong and Free.
 
'''Second verse'''
:Africa is our own motherland,
:Fashion'd with and blessed by God's good hand,
:Let us all her people join as one,
:Brothers under the sun.
:All one, Strong and Free.
 
'''Third verse'''
:One land and one nation is our cry,
:Dignity and peace 'neath Zambia's sky,
:Like our noble eagle in its flight,
:Zambia, praise to thee.
:All one, Strong and Free.
 
'''Chorus''' ''(Sung After Third Verse Only)''
:Praise be to God,
:Praise be, praise be, praise be,
:Bless our great nation,
:Zambia, Zambia, Zambia.
:Free men we stand
:Under the flag of our land.
:Zambia, praise to thee!
:All one, Strong and Free.


==See also==
==See also==
*[http://www.parliament.gov.zm/sites/default/files/documents/acts/National%20Anthem%20Act.pdf The National Anthem Act]
*[http://www.parliament.gov.zm/sites/default/files/documents/acts/National%20Anthem%20Act.pdf The National Anthem Act]
*[http://www.victoriafalls-zambiatravel-safaris.com/country-info/anthem-flag Zambia National Anthem In Bemba & English]
{{Zambia topics}}
==References==
<references/>


[[Category:National symbols of Zambia]]
[[Category:National symbols of Zambia]]
[[Category:Zambian songs]]
[[Category:Zambian songs]]

Latest revision as of 10:30, 3 July 2016

Coat of arms of Zambia

"Stand and Sing of Zambia, Proud and Free" is the national anthem of Zambia. The tune is taken from the hymn Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika (God Bless Africa), which was composed by a South African, Enoch Sontonga, in 1897. The lyrics were composed after Zambian independence to specifically reflect Zambia, as opposed to Sontonga's lyrics which refer to Africa as a whole.

History

Enoch Sontonga, composer of Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika

Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika started to become popular in South Africa in 1923 as a Christian hymn. Its popularity spread around Africa through churches and the tune became associated with African nationalism movements. Following the passing of the Zambia Independence Act 1964 in the Parliament of the United Kingdom enacting Zambia's independence from the United Kingdom, Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika was adopted as the national anthem of Zambia,[1] replacing God Save the Queen, the anthem of Northern Rhodesia. Shortly afterwards, it was decided that new words set to the tune of Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika would be needed for Zambia's national anthem. A national competition was held for the new words. However, none of the entries were deemed good enough to be used in full for the anthem. As a result, six of the entries were merged to create "Stand and Sing of Zambia, Proud and Free" and the entrants selected were awarded prizes. The authors credited for the composition were G Ellis, E.S. Musonda, J.M.S. Lichilana, I Lowe, J Sajiwandani and R.J. Seal of Lusaka.[1]

In 1973, the National Assembly passed the National Anthem Act, which legally defined the English lyrics of "Stand and Sing of Zambia, Proud and Free" as the national anthem of Zambia. The Act also made it an offence to "insult or bring into contempt or ridicule" the anthem and granted the President of Zambia the rights to prescribe how the anthem is sung and to restrict its use.[2]

In 2005, Zambian women's groups petitioned for a number of the lyrics in "Stand and Sing of Zambia, Proud and Free" to be changed because they felt that they were too male orientated. In response, it was decreed that the current lyrics did include women in context and it was stated that "Stand and Sing of Zambia, Proud and Free" was "composed of historical lyrics that reflect the country's heritage."[3] In 2012, Professor Michelo Hansungule repeated the concerns that the anthem was too masculine. He also argued that because it had the same tune as the National Anthem of South Africa, it might have intellectual property implications and suggested that Zambia's sovereignty could be questioned.[4]

Lyrics

Bemba version

First Verse

Lumbanyeni Zambia, no kwanga,
Ne cilumba twange tuumfwane,
Mpalume sha bulwi bwa cine,
Twaliilubula.
Twikatane bonse.

Second verse

Bonse tuli bana ba Africa,
Uwasenaminwa na Lesa,
Nomba bonse twendele pamo,
Twaliilubula.
Twikatane bonse.

Third verse

Fwe lukuta lwa Zambia lonse,
Twikatane tubyo mutende,
Pamo nga lubambe mu mulu,
Lumbanyeni Zambia.
Twikatane bonse.

Chorus (Sung After Third Verse Only)

Lumbanyeni,
Lesa, Lesa, wesu,
Apale calo,
Zambia, Zambia, Zambia.
Fwe bantungwa
Mu luunga lwa calo.
Lumbanyeni Zambia.
Twikatane bonse.

Chinyanja/Chewa version

First Verse

Imani timtamande Zambia,
Dziko la cimwemwe ndi umodzi
Ife tinamenyera ufulu,
Tinapata ufuluwu:
Umodzi ndi mphamvu

Second Verse

Africa ndiye Mayi wathu
Dzanja la Mbuye lamdalitsa
Tiyeni tonse tigwirizane
Ndife abale m'dziko:
Umodzi ndi mphamvu

Third Verse

Dziko limodzi, mtundu umodzi
Ndi cilakolako cathutu
Ulemu ndi mtendere m'dziko
Monga nkwazi m'mwamba:
Umodzi ndi mphamvu

Chorus (Sung After Third Verse Only)

Timtamande Mlungu, Mlungu wathu,
Adalitse Zambia, Zambia Zambia
Omasuka pansi pa ndembela yathu
Zambia timtamande:
Umodzi ndi mphamvu.

Tonga version

First Verse

Atumutembaule Zambia,
mbotubelekela antoomwe,
Twakazunda akwaanguluka,
Akulilela,
Toonse Tuswangane.

Second verse

Afrika mbabaama besu,
Cisi cakalelekw' aLeza,
Toonse tobantu tuswaangane,
Mubwanabokwabo,
Zambia Omubotu.

Third verse

Ciinga comwe ncotulilila,
Mbulemu aluumuno mucisi,
Mbuli Sikwaze Mbwauluka,
Zambia, omubotu,
Toonse Tuswangane.

Chorus (Sung After Third Verse Only)

Atulumbe,
Leza Leza Wesu
Cisi Cesu:
Zambia, Zambia, Zambia,
Andembela,
yuunga mucisi cesu,
Zambia Omubotu,
Toonse Tuswangane.

English version

First Verse

Stand and sing for Zambia, proud and free,
Land of work and joy in unity,
Victors in the struggle for our rights,
We've won freedom's fight.
All one, Strong and Free.

Second verse

Africa is our own motherland,
Fashion'd with and blessed by God's good hand,
Let us all her people join as one,
Brothers under the sun.
All one, Strong and Free.

Third verse

One land and one nation is our cry,
Dignity and peace 'neath Zambia's sky,
Like our noble eagle in its flight,
Zambia, praise to thee.
All one, Strong and Free.

Chorus (Sung After Third Verse Only)

Praise be to God,
Praise be, praise be, praise be,
Bless our great nation,
Zambia, Zambia, Zambia.
Free men we stand
Under the flag of our land.
Zambia, praise to thee!
All one, Strong and Free.

See also

References