In the realm of traditional African music, particularly the ‘Taarab’ genre of Tanzania and Zanzibar, Fatuma binti Baraka, globally renowned as Bi Kidude, remains an undisputed legend. One of her most iconic and celebrated Swahili songs is “Muhogo wa Jang’ombe” (The Cassava of Jang’ombe).

Written and composed by Maalim Shaaban, this musical masterpiece is heavily enriched with Swahili proverbs and deep metaphors. The song beautifully weaves philosophical lessons about human relationships, caution, and the value of people in our lives. The central message of the track revolves around a famous Swahili proverb: “Do not insult the midwife while you still have the ability to bear children,” which serves as a profound reminder to never burn bridges with those whose help we might need in the future.

For world music enthusiasts and fans who are searching for the true essence of this timeless African folk song, today’s post features the complete lyrics with the original Swahili text, Romanized pronunciation, and comprehensive English and Bengali translations.

Song Information:

Song Name: Muhogo wa Jang’ombe

Singer: Bi Kidude (Fatuma binti Baraka)

Lyricist & Composer: Maalim Shaaban

Genre: Taarab / Tanzanian Swahili Folk

Language: Swahili

Table of Contents

Toggle
Muhogo wa Jang’ombe Lyrics in BengaliMuhogo wa Jang’ombe Lyrics in EnglishMuhogo wa Jang’ombe English Translationganer mul bhab (Key Theme)Key Theme / Meaning of the Song:
Muhogo wa Jang’ombe Lyrics in Bengali
muhogo oa janggombe,

sijauramba miuko,

usitukane oakungga,

na ujaji unggalipo।

muhogo oa janggombe,

sijauramba miuko,

usitukane oakungga,

na ujaji unggalipo।

iya nini kutoka damu,

koa jambo lisilokuoa,

utahadhari na miuko,

oakati oa kupakuoa।

iya nini kutoka damu,

koa jambo lisilokuoa,

utahadhari na miuko,

oakati oa kupakuoa।

ukitaraji makoko,

chungu utakitobooa।

muhogo oa janggombe,

sijauramba miuko,

usitukane oakungga,

na ujaji unggalipo।

muhogo oa janggombe,

sijauramba miuko,

usitukane oakungga,

na ujaji unggalipo।

kamphungge kamphungge,

beberu oa athumani,

umphungge umphungge,

pahala panapo jani।

kamphungge kamphungge,

beberu oa athumani,

umphungge umphungge,

pahala panapo jani।

endaiye teji na omo,

marejio nggamani।

muhogo oa janggombe,

sijauramba miuko,

usitukane oakungga,

na ujaji unggalipo।

muhogo oa janggombe,

sijauramba miuko,

usitukane oakungga,

na ujaji unggalipo।

oataka na kutembiya,

laajiji iuniphikiye,

oalimaoenggu oalimaoenggu,

kila moja na lake।

oataka na kutembiya,

laajiji iuniphikiye,

oalimaoenggu oalimaoenggu,

kila moja na lake।

muhitaji hana haya,

oacha oatu ukucheke।

muhogo oa janggombe,

sijauramba miuko,

usitukane oakungga,

na ujaji unggalipo।

muhogo oa janggombe,

sijauramba miuko,

usitukane oakungga,

na ujaji unggalipo।

Muhogo wa Jang’ombe Lyrics in English
Muhogo wa jang’ombe,

Sijauramba mwiko,

Usitukane wakunga,

Na uzazi ungalipo.

Muhogo wa jang’ombe,

Sijauramba mwiko,

Usitukane wakunga,

Na uzazi ungalipo.

Ya nini kutoka damu,

Kwa jambo lisilokuwa,

Utahadhari na mwiko,

Wakati wa kupakua.

Ya nini kutoka damu,

Kwa jambo lisilokuwa,

Utahadhari na mwiko,

Wakati wa kupakua.

Ukitaraji makoko,

Chungu utakitoboa.

Muhogo wa jang’ombe,

Sijauramba mwiko,

Usitukane wakunga,

Na uzazi ungalipo.

Muhogo wa jang’ombe,

Sijauramba mwiko,

Usitukane wakunga,

Na uzazi ungalipo.

Kamfunge kamfunge,

Beberu wa athumani,

Umfunge umfunge,

Pahala panapo jani.

Kamfunge kamfunge,

Beberu wa athumani,

Umfunge umfunge,

Pahala panapo jani.

Endaye tezi na omo,

Marejeo ngamani.

Muhogo wa jang’ombe,

Sijauramba mwiko,

Usitukane wakunga,

Na uzazi ungalipo.

Muhogo wa jang’ombe,

Sijauramba mwiko,

Usitukane wakunga,

Na uzazi ungalipo.

Wataka na kutembea,

Laazizi unifikie,

Walimwengu walimwengu,

Kila mmoja na lake.

Wataka na kutembea,

Laazizi unifikie,

Walimwengu walimwengu,

Kila mmoja na lake.

Muhitaji hana haya,

Wacha watu wakucheke.

Muhogo wa jang’ombe,

Sijauramba mwiko,

Usitukane wakunga,

Na uzazi ungalipo.

Muhogo wa jang’ombe,

Sijauramba mwiko,

Usitukane wakunga,

Na uzazi ungalipo.

Muhogo wa Jang’ombe English Translation
The cassava of Jang’ombe,

I haven’t licked the cooking spoon yet,

Do not abuse the midwives,

While you still have a womb (ability to give birth).

The cassava of Jang’ombe,

I haven’t licked the cooking spoon yet,

Do not abuse the midwives,

While you still have a womb.

Why do you bleed?

For something that will never happen,

Be careful with the cooking spoon,

When you are serving the food.

Why do you bleed?

For something that will never happen,

Be careful with the cooking spoon,

When you are serving the food.

If you are too eager for the crust at the bottom,

You will end up perforating the pot.

The cassava of Jang’ombe,

I haven’t licked the cooking spoon yet,

Do not abuse the midwives,

While you still have a womb.

The cassava of Jang’ombe,

I haven’t licked the cooking spoon yet,

Do not abuse the midwives,

While you still have a womb.

Go tie him, go tie him,

Athumani’s He-goat,

Tie him, tie him,

At a place where there is green grass.

Go tie him, go tie him,

Athumani’s He-goat,

Tie him, tie him,

At a place where there is green grass.

He who goes to the front and back of the ship,

Will eventually have to return to the center of the ship.

The cassava of Jang’ombe,

I haven’t licked the cooking spoon yet,

Do not abuse the midwives,

While you still have a womb.

The cassava of Jang’ombe,

I haven’t licked the cooking spoon yet,

Do not abuse the midwives,

While you still have a womb.

You want to walk all the way,

Just to reach me, my love.

People of the world, oh people of the world,

Everyone has their own issues.

You want to walk all the way,

Just to reach me, my love.

People of the world, oh people of the world,

Everyone has their own issues.

The needy person doesn’t feel shy,

Let the people laugh at you!

The cassava of Jang’ombe,

I haven’t licked the cooking spoon yet,

Do not abuse the midwives,

While you still have a womb.

The cassava of Jang’ombe,

I haven’t licked the cooking spoon yet,

Do not abuse the midwives,

While you still have a womb.

ganer mul bhab (Key Theme)
ei aphrikan ‘tarab’ ganti mulat rupak ebang soahili prabade bharpur। ‘janggombe’ (Jang’ombe) halo janjibarer ekti elakar nam, ar ‘muhogo’ (Muhogo) mane kasabha (ek dharner sharkra jatiy mul)। gantir sabcheye janpriy lain “Usitukane wakunga, Na uzazi ungalipo”-er orth halo, apnar nijer jatakshan santan janmdaner kshamta ache, tatakshan dhatri ba narske opman karben na। eti mulat ekti satarkta, jar orth halo—bhabishjte jader sahajj apnar lagte pare, tader sathe shatruta kara bokami। ekaibhabe, “harir talar pora khabarer lobhe hari phuto kare phela” kingba “jahajer je prantei jao na ken, kendre phire astei habe”—ei rupakgulor madhjme manusher lobh, tarahuro ebang dinsheshe shekre ba apan thikanay phire asar shashbat satj tule dhara hayeche।

Key Theme / Meaning of the Song:
This traditional Taarab song is a brilliant collection of profound metaphors and Swahili proverbs. ‘Jang’ombe’ is a locality in Zanzibar, and ‘Muhogo’ refers to cassava. The most prominent message of the song lies in the line, “Usitukane wakunga, Na uzazi ungalipo,” which translates to “Do not insult the midwife while you still have a womb.” This serves as a powerful metaphor warning people not to mistreat, disrespect, or make enemies of those whose assistance they may inevitably need in the future.

Similarly, the song utilizes other philosophical metaphors. The line about “perforating the pot out of greed for the crust at the bottom” symbolizes how excessive greed, impatience, and overreaching can destroy the very foundation of what we already possess. Furthermore, the analogy of the ship—”He who goes to the front and back of the ship must return to the center”—represents the inescapable truth that no matter how far we wander, we must eventually return to our roots, our reality, or our ultimate destination. It is a timeless philosophical reflection on human nature, wisdom, and destiny.