Nt'hago za selo / Salamu za selo [Selo greetings]
This library of Ngoma ya Selo greetings is based on a recording session made on 12th of June 1989 at the TV Department (currently the audiovisual unit of the department of computer science) at the University of Helsinki. The performer is selo specialist Juma Nasoro Malema from the village of Miono in the Bagamoyo District of the Coast Region in Tanzania.
The greetings are called Nt'hago in the Chizigula language and Salamu in Kiswahili. It is the core expression of the Ngoma ya Selo music and dance. Selo is being taught to puberty aged girls of the Zigua society. One of the main purposes of the training is to emphasize the importance of mutual respect which is expressed to all follow people, old and young.
Some of the greetings are straightforward paraphrases of greetings in everyday life, such as kneeling, bowing or a military salute. Other greetings tend to show how the growing young lady may show respect to her husband in matrimonial life. Many of the greetings are imitations of some peculiar aspect of human life such as use of snuff, movements of football, shooting or construction work. Some animals, birds and insects are also imitated.
The clips may be played with a free basic RealPlayer which can be downloaded form RealNetworks. Please, ascertain that you down the free player and not a trial version of the commercial player.
No. |
Chizigula |
Kiswahili |
English |
Video |
1 |
Moni |
Heshima (au saluti) |
Greeting |
|
2 |
Zógolo |
Jogoo |
Cock |
|
3 |
Kutoa mavindi hasi |
Kupiga magoti chini |
Kneeling with both knees |
|
4 |
Kuputa tumbatu |
kuvuta ugoro (au tumbako la kusaga) |
Smoking snuff (or grinded tobacco) |
|
5 |
Kuteka mazi |
Kuchota maji |
Fetching water |
|
7 |
Uvinaji wa chísambo |
Uchezaji wa kibwaya (au kisambo) |
Dancing with the straw skirt |
|
8 |
Kafuruma |
|
|
|
9 |
Nt'hago ya kwikala hasi |
Salamu ya kukaa chini |
Greeting by sitting down |
|
10 |
Kulagisa udyaji |
Kuonyesha mfano wa kula |
To imitate eating |
|
11 |
Chimp'hanga |
Kipanga |
The sparrowhawk |
|
12 |
Kumbembeleza mwana |
Kumbembeleza mtoto |
Comforting the baby |
|
13 |
Ntoza umoyo |
Nishike moyoni |
Holding my heart |
|
17 |
Chicheze mbira |
Tucheze mpira |
Let's play football |
|
20 |
Futi |
Bunduki |
The riffle |
|
21 |
Kuchapa chiga |
Kuchapa mguu |
To beat ones leg |
|
23 |
Nt'hago ya kulima |
Salamu ya kulima |
Greeting by cultivating |
|
24 |
Nt'hago ya kubunda |
Salamu ya kufunda |
Greeting by grinding |
|
25 |
Nt'hago ya kwink'hana mikono |
Salamu ya kupeana mikono |
Greeting by shaking hands |
|
28 |
Nt'hago ya kuzenga |
Salamu ya mfano wa kujenga |
Greeting by imitating construction work |
|
29 |
Kuhaka mazi mouso |
Kunawa uso |
Washing ones face |
|
34 |
Kuchuchula ya nk'hanga |
Kanga anayekimbia |
The running helmeted Guineafowl |
|
37 |
Nt'hago ya kufyagila (nyumba) |
Salamu ya kufagia (nyumba) |
Greeting of sweeping (the house) |
|
38 |
Nt'hago ya wambisi |
Salamu ya upishi |
Greeting of cooking |
|
40 |
Nt'hago ya kunguza |
Salamu ya kipepeo |
Butterfly greeting |
|
41 |
Kutambaliza |
Kunyosha miguu (chini) |
Straightening ones legs |
|
Director: | | Pekka Pulkkila |
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Video: | | Esko Gustafsson |
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Sound engineer: | | Kari Rajahuhta |
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Producer: | | Philip Donner |
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