What Shakira Is Waka Waka-ing About?

By now I am sure all football fans have heard South Africa World Cup 2010's anthem-Waka Waka right? Shakira was again (yeah! 4 years ago it was her too) chosen to sing the anthem for this edition of World Cup. Why Shakira was picked again this time? Is it because she is sexy and has more commercial value for FIFA? :/ Beats me. Hmm...Must be her unique, powerful voice I guess. Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) sang by Shakira is a song featuring Freshlyground. Not too bad but a lot of us are actually hoping someone else.

Shakira featuring Freshlt ground in Waka Waka!

A~ha! Do you know that some African hate Shakira to the MAX? Not all African like her because they thing a South Africa talent should have sung the Anthem instead of the Colombian songstress. Hmm...can't blame them though, I would have demanded Siti Nurhaliza to sing the anthem if World Cup is being held here in Malaysia. :p After all they are being patriotic. But they have to understand that FIFA's ultimate goal besides promoting football is to commercialize World Cup. That's why the Shakira is picked again.

Did you watch the opening ceremony at Johannesberg?

Now let's put Shakira aside. Do you guys like the song Waka Waka? Personally I kinda like it. IMHO Waka Waka is very infectious and can get any football fans (or everyone) into the grooves easily. It hits the right tunes and its rhythm makes me so spirited. It is...ummm...how should I put it? Very inspiring and makes me focused. Wow...how come suddenly Waka Waka sounded like a motivational song? LOL :D But what we really wanna know today is what is Shakira Waka Waka-ing about?

What Shakira is Waka Waka-ing huh? That?

Do you know that Shakira's Waka Waka (Time For Africa) is a cover for the Original Version of Waka Waka Tsamina which is a 1986 hit song, originally sung by a group from Cameroon called the Golden Sounds who were beloved throughout the continent for their silly, slapstick dance moves and wacky costumes. The song pays tribute to African skirmishers during WW2. Most of the band members were in the Cameroonian Army themselves and they used make up, fake belly and fake butt for comic relief. Here's their MTV. :)

This is the ORIGINAL Waka Waka!

I love it. Kinda funny. :)

Do you know that the Original Waka Waka Tsamina is still used today almost everywhere in Africa by soldiers, policemen, boy scouts, sportsmen and their supporters, usually during training or for rallying. It is also widely used in schools throughout the continent especially in Cameroon as a marching song and almost everyone in the country knows the chorus of the song by heart. No wonder some African demanded an African to perform during this World Cup and not Shakira. :/

My favourite Cameroonian striker-Eto!

The lyrics of Waka Waka are in the Cameroonian language called Fang. Now you know right? Let's decipher the Fang (Cameroonian language) shall we? Below is the translation of some Fang used in Shakira's Waka Waka:

Fang	English
Waka waka	Do the job
Tsaminamina zangalewa	where do you come from?
Waka	it is mine
Zambo	wait
Tsaminamina	Come

So how do you find it? Now use a few minutes to "digest" it. Tick! Tock! Tick! Tock! Ok? Now, let's go to Shakira's Waka Waka (This Time For Africa). Are you ready to rock...I mean waka wak! Hit it!

Shakira's Official Waka Waka (This Time For Africa)

Shakira's Waka Waka (This Time For Africa) Lyrics

You're a good soldier Choosing your battles Pick yourself up And dust yourself off And back in the saddle You're on the frontline Everyone's watching You know it's serious We're getting closer This isnt over The pressure is on You feel it But you've got it all Believe it When you fall get up Oh oh... And if you fall get up Oh oh... Tsamina mina Zangalewa Cuz this is Africa Tsamina mina eh eh Waka Waka eh eh Tsamina mina zangalewa Anawa aa This time for Africa Listen to your god

This is our motto Your time to shine Don't wait in line Y vamos por Todo People are raising Their Expectations Go on and feed them This is your moment No hesitations Today's your day I feel it You paved the way Believe it If you get down Get up Oh oh... When you get down Get up eh eh... Tsamina mina zangalewa Anawa aa This time for Africa Tsamina mina eh eh Waka Waka eh eh Tsamina mina zangalewa Anawa aa Tsamina mina eh eh Waka Waka eh eh Tsamina mina zangalewa This time for Africa

Wow...I was a little overwhelmed here. How about you? The lyrics is really catchy right? Were you overwhelmed too? Or is it because my post was too long and draggy? Ha :D My apologize folks. But we did learn a few new "Fangs" right? Ha :D Anyway I hope you enjoy this post. Now you know what Shakira is Waka Waka-ing about right?