Phephi, Ngoan’a ‘Mè

This is a comic song, first published in 1939, about an older sibling looking after a younger sibling – a commonplace in African life and especially in Lesotho, where Mohapeloa lived. The older child threaten visitations from all kinds of wild animals on the little brother or sister, if he or she doesn’t stop crying. The phrase ‘Ngoan’a ‘Mè’ literally means ‘Child (ngoana) of Mother’ (mmè), and could refer to either a brother or a sister.