Composer

:

Enoch Sontonga

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Compose Date

:

1897

Average_duration

:

2:48

"Nkosi Sikelel' i Afrika" is a hymn that was composed by Enoch Sontonga in 1897. The hymn was originally written in Xhosa, one of the official languages of South Africa. It was later translated into several other languages, including Zulu and English. The hymn has become an important symbol of the struggle against apartheid in South Africa and is now the national anthem of several African countries. The hymn was first performed in public in 1899 at a school in Johannesburg, where Sontonga was a teacher. The hymn quickly became popular and was soon being sung in churches and schools throughout South Africa. Sontonga's original composition had only three verses, but additional verses were added over time. The hymn has a simple melody and is typically sung in a slow, mournful tempo. It is usually performed a cappella, with no instrumental accompaniment. The lyrics of the hymn are a prayer for God's blessing on Africa and its people. The first verse reads: Nkosi sikelel' iAfrika Maluphakanyisw' uphondo lwayo Yizwa imithandazo yethu Nkosi sikelela, thina lusapho lwayo This translates to: Lord, bless Africa May her horn be raised high Hear our prayers Lord, bless us, your children The hymn has become an important symbol of African unity and resistance to colonialism and apartheid. It was adopted as the official anthem of the African National Congress (ANC) in 1925 and was later adopted as the national anthem of several African countries, including Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. In South Africa, "Nkosi Sikelel' i Afrika" was adopted as an unofficial national anthem during the struggle against apartheid. It was often sung at political rallies and protests, and became a symbol of the struggle for freedom and equality. After the end of apartheid in 1994, the hymn was adopted as one of the official national anthems of South Africa, along with "Die Stem van Suid-Afrika" (The Call of South Africa). Today, "Nkosi Sikelel' i Afrika" is recognized as one of the most important cultural artifacts of South Africa and the African continent as a whole. It is a powerful reminder of the struggles and triumphs of the African people, and a testament to the enduring power of music to inspire and unite people in the face of adversity.

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