Mosa Mosa!

Every few years, some song comes along in some unknown foreign language, which you can't understand, but it just won't get out of your head. Its easy on the ears. Its catchy. And very hummable. For example: Remember this song?

Simarik. By Tarkan. The song was catchy. It was hummable. Slightly middle-eastern sounding. And the kiss sounds had their very own shock value. At least for 1997, when the song was released and I was in school. Then they took this tune and made various songs out of it. One of the more forgettable versions was this. Ok, I can't bear this whole song (although I love Urmila), I'm closing the window.

Speaking of earworms, there's this song that I've discovered recently that is really popular in Liberia, for some reason. Listen to it.

I first heard it as the caller tune of one the people I used to call frequently for work. Again. It was nice. It was hummable. Strong instrumental interludes, just like Simarik. In fact, up until yesterday, I didn't even know what language it was in. Actually, I still don't know for sure what language it is. Yesterday, at our trusty ole Sajj (remember Sajj? I posted about it here), I discovered that its a Brazilian song. The DJ just went 'There any Brazilians in the crowd?" followed by the obligatory "Yay!" from some very drunk non-Brazillians and I think, some real Brazilians. And he put that song on. Today I googled "brazil song" and, thank god for predictive text in google, the 8th option was "Mosa". I clicked on it and lo and behold. The song that I wanted. Gosh! I was feeling lucky today (wink, wink). But I haven't told you the best part yet. The star of this song is not the singer or the lyrics (which I'm told translate to borderline offensive words) but the beautiful instrumental interlude in between. Its an accordion that keeps playing in between. And its magical. Makes you feel like you're on the beach. A very easy, relaxed feeling creeps into the soul. Yes. Go back. Listen to it once more. And more.

By the way, I forgot to ask, what's your earworm these days? I'd love to hear.

Botswana wa Tsabakela

Yes. I've been trying to figure out what that phrase in Setswana means. For the unitiated, Setswana is the language of Botswana. They even have a Setswana wikipedia. But even there I couldn't find what this phrase means. Even so, from all the googling, I've at least been able to find out that 'wa' means fall or belong and 'Tsabakela' means to glisten. Which would mean 'Botswana belongs to the Glistening'? Don't know. Tell me if you know what it means. So why am I looking for the meaning of this phrase?

Well, here's why. This the opening phrase of the title track of this very nice BBC / HBO series set in Botswana that I have been watching off and on for the past few days. Its called 'The no. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency'. It is highly entertaining and lovely to watch and is inspired from a book of the same name by Alexander McCall Smith. In fact, I first read the book and then one of my Zambian colleagues told me about the series. And I must say, unlike many other disappointing attempts to make books into movies or TV serials, this one does a fine job of it. Not that they haven't tinkered with the plot and the storyline here and there. And added or deleted some characters. But then, the soul of the book stays intact in the series. Anyway, have a look at the title track. It has some very nice animation and the soulful, straight-from-the-heart voice reminds me of Usha Uthup

Doesn't it? Ok, now press the play button and close your eyes. Don't know about you, but for me the music conjures up images of giraffes peacefully feeding in grasslands. And rhinos minding their own business in the jungles (or the 'bush', as they call it here). And a simpler world where people are still righteous, forthright and honest. Not the world of today where people's morals are all different shades of grey. So, if that's what you pine for as well, this show is definitely worth a watch. On a related note, I wonder where I could get more such lovely, soulful, traditional African music. Its just beautiful. Speaks to my soul. Liberia doesn't seem to have much traditional music. Or maybe I don't know it, not having travelled much into the bush myself. But if there is, I'd love to hear it.

So, all this is part of my Africa education. O, did I mention? Last weekend, I went to have Ethiopian food. And, do you know, they actually have a huge variety of vegetarian dishes? Their food is much like the Indian roti subzi. Actually the roti is more like a dosa, in that it is fermented. But this dosa is made of some other type of brown flour. Injera, this bread is called. And they use teff flour to make it. So, anyway, there's one thing that's certain. Now that I am in Africa, I want to experience as much of it as I can. The cuisine, the music, the people. Its a whole different world. A world that is often ignored. And that is still simple and untouched, for what its worth. I've already been to 3 countries in Africa (even though two of them were just for a couple of days) and I want to see more of Africa. Amen to that!

(PS: I forgot to mention how they keep having 'bush tea' all the while in the show. I think the next food experiment shall definitely involve this bush tea. Amen to that as well!)

Monrovia - from my terrace

I'm too tired to for words. So, here goes: A few pictures, taken from our terrace. In the order that they were taken. No captions, nothing.