“Jambo Bwana” (in Swahili “Hello Sir”) is a Kenyan pop song also popular in Tanzania. It was first released in 1982 by Kenyan band Them Mushrooms, and later covered by a number of other groups and artists, including Mombasa Roots, Safari Sound Band, Khadja Nin, Adam Solomon, Mani Kollengode, and the German group Boney M.
Some versions come under different titles, such as “Jambo Jambo” and “Hakuna Matata”.
“Jambo Bwana” has been largely adopted as a hotel pop song, targeting a tourist audience. Does its lyrics include several common phrases and greetings in Swahili, such as Habari gani? nzuri sana (“how are you doing? very well”) and hakuna matata (“no problem, no worries”). The original version by Them Mushrooms also included lines celebrating the Swahili language, reggae music, Africa, and “mushroom soup” (a reference to psilocybin mushrooms).
Popularity
“Jambo Bwana” by Them Mushrooms was a huge commercial success, selling over 200,000 copies between 1982 and 1987 and getting platinum certification in Kenya. As a consequence of this popularity, many other bands covered the songs, in some cases with similar success; the version by Safari Sound Band, in particular, is one of the most played songs in tourist venues in East Africa. The use of the Swahili phrase “hakuna matata” in Disney’s “The Lion King” might be a reference to the chorus of the song.
Them Mushrooms released the song in several of their albums, and both their version and cover version of the songs are found in many compilations of African pop music, including those dedicated to parties and children (such as the African Playground CD published by Putumayo Kids).
The song was featured in the 2019 film Whereโd You Go Bernadette, directed by Richard Linklater and starring Cate Blanchett.
Covers
Some of the covers of “Jambo Bwana” come under different titles and have modified lyrics. The Boney M. version, released in 1983, is entitled “Jambo – Hakuna Matata” and the lyrics are in English and almost completely different; only the “jambo bwana” and “hakuna matata” lines have been preserved. The Safari Sound Band version of “Jambo Jambo” has the central part of the lyrics changed, with references to reggae and mushrooms being replaced by other tourist-oriented common Swahili phrases such as Kenya ni nchi nzuri (“Kenya is a beautiful country”). In 2016, a cover was made by Kenyan musician Mani Kollengode.
A partial list of “Jambo Bwana” versions
| Artist | Title | Album | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Them Mushrooms | “Jambo Bwana” | 1982 | Released on several albums, including Jambo Bwana and Songs from Kenya (Them Mushrooms) and African Playground (Putumayo compilation) | |
| Boney M. | “Jambo – Hakuna Matata” | 1983 | Only released as a single, with lyrics in English | |
| Mombasa Roots | “Jambo Bwana” | Msa Mombasa | 1987 | |
| Bo Katzman & the Katz Kids | “Jambo Bwana” | Katz Kids Singed Wรคlthits | 1990 | |
| Safari Sound Band | “Jambo Jambo” | Mambo Jambo (2001), The Best of African Songs, and others | 1999 | Simplified lyrics |
| Love Whip | “Jambo Bwana” | Bouncehall | 2003 | |
| Adam Solomon | “Jambo Bwana / Hakuna Matata” | Mti Wa Maisha | 2004 | |
| Klaus Hallen | “Jambo Bwana / Lala Salama” | Samba Collection | ||
| Khadja Nin | “Jambo Bwana” | Based on Safari Sound Band’s lyrics | ||
| Mani Kollengode | “Jambo Bwana” | 2016 | An English rendition |
Boney M. version
In 1983, German group Boney M. released “Jambo – Hakuna Matata”. Liz Mitchell provided the song’s lead vocals, backed by Reggie Tsiboe, Frank Farian, Marcia Barrett, Cathy Bartney, Madeleine Davis, and Judy Cheeks. The single was intended to be included in the group’s untitled seventh album, to be released in the fall of 1983, but didn’t happen.
Several mixes of “Jambo” were made. The 4:06 mix (as featured in the accompanying music video) was only released in Spain and Portugal. A 3:39 edit was released elsewhere. The full 7:44 version was only released on the Spanish and Portuguese 12″ singles – the German 12″ single (despite crediting the timing 7:42 on the label) was actually an edit of 5:35. In France, an even shorter edit of 5:15 was released.
@augustus331
10 years ago I visited friends in Kenya. I was 13 back then, and as a spoiled western kid, they showed me a whole new world, new foods, and that sleeping in a tent on the Masai Mara plains is more comfortable than I expected. I will never forget their generosity and kindness and after corona, I will visit you again, Kenya nzuri.
@JK-xo9wm
In school when i was 8 i had a girlfriend who was from Kenya, she teached me this song. Everytime we saw each other we would sing it. Now ~12 years later i had my first trip to kenya with her (as a friend not girlfriend) and i must say Kenya is a beautifull country, such amazing culture from the people and the sounds at night made me feel more comfortable somehow. I wish more people would be able to see Africa as what it really is instead of the “no water no electricity” attitude. I am from The Netherlands and i would visit Kenya again 100%.
@kellycasey7704
Just returned from a Kenyan safari – the trip of a lifetime! Our safari driver and guide tried to teach us this song. I already learned a few of the words and we sure had fun singing this song in the jeep! Loved Kenya, the animals, and the people! Thank you, Angela, Dennis, Daniel, Elvis, and all the rest of the crew who took care of us. God bless you all!
@theredplanet1758
We sing this to my grand niece everyday. Sheโs 16 months old but she can sing it word to word. Such a catchy and cheery song. Thanks for posting.
@immokainot_me
I am an Indian but still i like this song so much also I listened to it last 2-3 yrs ago but I still have it memorized automatically. This is so enjoyable.
@SamA-uj1vx
I came to Tanzania, and a man with a guitar sang this to us. It was so beautiful
@lenastepien4586
Hi! I’m from Poland and I was in Kenya 1 month ago, amazing country, culture, and people, and I would like to go back there ๐ฐ๐ช
@styleopatamus
Just learned this song from my Maasai guide in the Mara. Kenya will forever be in my heart! This is such a fun song, and will always remind me of my amazing holiday in a lovely country.
- Mombasa Roots, Safari Sound Band, Khadja Nin, Adam Solomon, Mani Kollengode “This Kenyan Artist, With Asian Origin- Can Sing “Jambo Bwana” Better Than You. – GhettoRadio 89.5 FM”. GhettoRadio 89.5 FM. 2016-10-20. Archived from the original on 2019-12-23. Retrieved 2017-09-29 “Jambo Bwana By Mani (Cover)”. Mani Productions Ltd Kenya. September 21, 2016.
- The original version by Them Mushrooms also included lines celebrating the Swahili language, reggae music, Africa, and “mushroom soup” (a reference to psilocybin mushrooms). Lyrics of “Jambo Bwana” by Them Mushrooms with English translation. There are several mistypes in the text, including “Africa” instead of “Afrika”, and “kwell kwell” instead of “kweli kweli”.
- The use of the Swahili phrase “hakuna matata” in Disney’s “The Lion King” might be a reference to the chorus of the song. Them Mushrooms at BigQ Unlimited Archived 2009-01-23 at the Wayback Machine.
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