Phephi, Ngoan’a ‘Mè

(Pardon Me, My Sibling)

R39.00

ISMN
979-0-804001-66-2;979-0-804001-67-9
Catalogue No
JPM 034
Notation
Dual notation (staff & tonic solfa), Staff notation
Scoring
choir SATB
Edition
Joshua Pulumo Mohapeloa Critical Edition
Category

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.