Music of the Wajiwaji

Abstract

Father A.M. Jones provides an in-depth analysis of a Swahili didactic song, the Wajiwaji. Six ‘Ur’-tunes are identified and compared to each verse of the text. Variations on these ‘Ur’- tunes are examined from linguistic and musical viewpoints. The original Swahili text and a translation thereof together with a complete transcription of the song are also included.