"" () is the national anthem of Tanzania. It is a Swahili language version of Enoch Sontonga's Xhosa language hymn "".

Etymology

The word in Swahili means God and its title, therefore, translates as "God bless Africa".

History

"Mungu ibariki Afrika" was translated and became the state anthem of Tanganyika. It was essentially assigned<!--the rights were assigned? authorship of the song is attributed?--> to Enoch Sontonga, who died in 1905. "Mungu ibariki Afrika" used the tune to "Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika" with a Swahili translation of the words. It is not known who composed the lyrics, but it is known that it was Samuel Mqhayi and Enoch Sontonga who created the early versions used by the African National Congress.

Swahili translation

It was first performed in Swahili at a ceremony on 8 December 1961 following the independence of Tanganyika from the British Empire. "Mungu ibariki Afrika" was composed to replace the British national anthem, "God Save the Queen", as the national anthem of Tanganyika. This made Tanganyika the first African nation to adopt the tune of "Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika" as its national anthem. In 1964, Tanganyika formed a union with Zanzibar, which created the United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar (later renamed to Tanzania). The newly united country adopted "Mungu ibariki Afrika" as its national anthem instead of Zanzibar's anthem. "Mungu ibariki Afrika" is also used as a hymn requesting Tanzania remain united and independent.

Tanganyika, and later Tanzania, had concerns about religious unrest between Christians and Muslims after independence. This was because of Christian references in government proceedings and official oaths. The wording of "Mungu ibariki Afrika" was intended to help offset this by being inclusive of the different religious views.

"Mungu ibariki Afrika" is sung daily at Tanzanian schools. A circular issued in 1998 by the nation's Commissioner of Education recommended the singing of the national anthem as a way to promote patriotism in Tanzania's youth.

In 2007, a legal issue arose over the anthem, after students who were members of the Jehovah's Witnesses refused to sing the song at their primary and secondary schools in Mbozi District, Mbeya Region. Five students were expelled from school, and 122 others received other forms of discipline for their refusal. On 2 December 2010, the High Court of Tanzania ruled that the schools' disciplinary actions were appropriate.

!IPA transcription

!English translation

|- style="vertical-align:top; white-space:nowrap;"

|<poem>

</poem>

|<poem></poem>

|<poem>I

God bless Africa

Bless its leaders

Wisdom, unity and peace

These are our shields

Africa and its people

Bless Africa, Bless Africa

Bless us, the children of Africa

II

God bless Tanzania

Grant eternal freedom and unity

To its women, men and children

God bless

Tanzania and its people

Bless Tanzania, Bless Tanzania

Bless us, the children of Tanzania</poem>

|}

Notes

References

  • Tanzania: "Mungu ibariki Afrika" &ndash; Audio of the national anthem of Tanzania, with information and lyrics (archive link)
  • Himnuszok &ndash; Mungu ibariki Afrika
  • National anthem of Tanzania MIDI