Unit Three: Studying Africa through the Humanities

Module Thirteen: African Music

Student's Edition

ACTIVITY TWO: Explore

Song 3

Mukondombera “The Holocaust (AIDS)” by Thomas Mapfumo (excerpt)

You should stop fooling around, men,
You should stop fooling around, girls,
Beware of this plague, the illness has come,
If you are not afraid, you will perish.

Oh goodness, we are perishing,
An illness has come into this world,
Play it safe, because this world has gone bad.
This illness has come,
It is a giant whip sent down by God.

Oh God, what are we supposed to do?
God, please give us an idea.
To stop it all, stand by your spouse