Nana Malaya - "Funga Alafia"

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[@daniayusuf1719]

We had to sing this at school.

[@rebeccaelliff4927]

Yeah

[@sodacanfactory]

Dani Yusuf i need to do this on tuesday so your not the only one

[@chrisrowe8554]

what school

[@weaver2781]

dania Same

[@liquidjellybeans657]

Us too!! What school was it???

[@srogers4108]

watching this made my heart smile...I remember learning this song in elementary school.

[@widhrbwh7543]

same

[@onikacakke8943]

samee

[@takeilaf1433]

Yep!

[@ashb234]

Yessss sammeeeee!

[@deandrebarrett83]

wowwww I was just saying the same thing.

[@loganstacer]

I heard this for the first time in first or second grade. I’m 28 years old now and this song has been stuck in my head almost my whole life but I never thought to look it up because I never even knew what they were saying. Glad I could find this now and can have it stuck in my head for the rest of my life.

[@PicklesBNuts]

My 5 year old came home singing ' Funga I love ya Ashay Ashay' lol. We worked out this is the song he is singing! Love it, thank you x

[@mszgigi0518]

This warmed my African American heart 🥰

[@errolthomas3438]

i feel like i must've went to the same school with a few people that commented lol

[@ASMRSquad]

Errol Thomas lol me too

[@LsavCrazy]

I had to do this in school too.

[@alkasihappy6883]

Omgoshhh me to

[@andreahric9313]

I had to

[@lileyyygonzalez4881]

Same ! Anybody go to HD COOKE Elementary?!😂

[@lucialight6096]

OMG y’all don’t understand how long I’ve been looking for this song. And I use to catch myself singing this song. I was in elementary when I learned it, and of course I use to mix up the words but I remember the “Ashe Ashe” part

[@earlylearningfitnessacadem2154]

We sang this in Elementary school late 80's early 90's in North Carolina! The words were a little different. We performed it with African dances. I was humming this today and Google led me here.

[@patrickrichardson2518]

I still remember this (the song, not this specific performance) from some random week in preschool...circa 1988 - 1989.

[@cg-ny9078]

I learned this in elementary school in the 80s, New York City! Anyone else?

[@springgarden1]

My 4 year came home singing this song only his mom could find if on KZbin I didn't realize how he was saying but we love it so much ❤🇯🇲👊🏾🇯🇲👊🏾

[@Eylerkvanovich3883]

I am so glad I have found this, shout out Ms. Dugan

[@iamyanadotcom]

I learned this is 1st grade from my music teacher Mrs. Anderson. That woman introduced me to the music inside of me. Changed my life forever. Thank you, Ancestors. Asé. 💛

[@LaurenCreer5678]

When I Was In Elementary School I Listen To It And Now It's A Great Memory Just Listening To It Now I Would Always Get Off The Bus And I'll Be Singing It All The Time

[@theloudduramax]

we learned this in music class on the drums

[@acesilva495]

Yep low high low keep the rhythm going

[@lesleyhansen825]

Same

[@spyturtle6203]

SAME

[@longliveliljay1670]

Same 5th grade in music class now I'm 19 i miss elementary and high school so much I missed so many chances and opportunities and didnt make the best of it. Over protective parents I didnt get to live the full high school experience, made many mistakes, got involved in the wrong things, God how I wish I can go back in time and make everything right as well as live thru it again. Those were the best years of my life. The memories are endless and I can write many books on just the memories alone.

[@darkry-]

@@longliveliljay1670 thank you for the life tip

[@pineapplequeen13]

Like a ton of other commenters, I learned this when I was super young in school, but it never left my head. The song is such a sweet message transcending language and culture, and the performance here is wonderful!

[@tiredpeaches]

I remember having to learn this song and then later our entire grade hade to sing it in front of the rest of the school

[@baui2257]

At my school too! I'm from the Philippines

[@smileycg12]

i love this... wish i could just hear her sing with the drums....

[@meilanlloyd7398]

I can't believe you love me

[@Elite459]

@@meilanlloyd7398 Ed ok osoeoo BBC

[@h.b.2003]

I learned this in the early 90s at a camp. It's been so long since I've heard it! Wow. My soul is happy

[@kylefer]

Bless these people came to my school in 1997 and performed. Amazing they are still doing this.

[@not._.an._.artist1511]

Oh my god we had to sing this in elementary school 😭

[@-Kidist]

when i was in first grade my class would sing this to anyone that walked in the classroom as a greeting i loved it

[@LeviPlayinMinecraft]

amazing african song

[@bettylovesyourskin]

I learned this song when I was little 🤯

[@kyleeinstein320]

Hello can i ask something?what is the meter and tempo of this song?

[@meilanlloyd7398]

I can't believe I can't stop thinking about it

[@rlseger]

I love your talents and I love you from the Lafayette I didn't look at the new president for my African music teacher I would just really want to thank you for all of the stuff that you taught me also about fun I love you that my music teacher didn't teach me

[@dariusrice]

I see a lot of comments about school, didn’t know it was this common.. played the African drums 4-8th grade

[@gabriellaperez8271]

This is so cool. I love this culture. We learned this at school and I am glad we did

[@victoriahaynes2838]

we sang this in elementary funga alafia as ha as ha madople As ha

[@443333able]

PI’m

[@JaeChanel116]

Okay, so I will be 40 years old this year and I remember singing this in elementary school. Wow! Thank God for Google. Now I just need a translation to know what I was singing

[@zakattack8624]

I remember I had to learn this song in Kindergarten or 1st grade. I'm American. I have no idea, but I could still recall the song, I just had no idea how to spell it.

[@Amocoru]

I always wondered where this song came from. I remember singing this in my seventh grade chorus class and I still get it stuck in my head sometimes. I spent the day as a 39 year old man trying to figure out how I'm walking around singing Funga alafia and why. Now I know.

[@Rwcrypto409]

Excellent content

[@kayceeklingaman1812]

I love how you do this video amg

[@jfortheday7793]

I sang this yesterday and I love this song I can’t get it out of my head

[@elinachen6224]

I sang this at school Cornwall elementary school lee rd I love this song this is in africa

[@CantBeHammy]

I want my life to be like that

[@tayostuddivant8890]

This was a song that was performed at my elementary school. This song always played in my heart and mind. Beautiful song.

[@OzzietheHuman]

This woman was my camp counselor

[@amandaggogo]

I remember learning this from a speaker at my local library one day and my brother and I still sing it to this day. ❤️

[@PaulCashman]

I've performed this countless times on the djembe at drum-circles. Nice to see it on the Kennedy Center stage!

[@johnniemorgue3253]

This was fun.

[@kali8968]

These people came to Astoria projects in queens New York long time ago I remember that “chant” I’m 39 now I was maybe 5 or 6☺️☺️

[@Mi-Zai]

I watched this in school today it’s so funny XD

[@jenniparra8671]

Same

[@Bosnian_squidward]

5:02 my guy be rocking it!

[@carolynfrink5569]

This brings me joy of memories of me and my daughter singing this song at home when she was younger! She sent this to me, reminding me of this sweet memory. Ase, Ase🙌🏿

[@lovelyjeschell427]

I Remember This Song From Elementary School.

[@idkhow]

We had to do this in music in elementary, please send help ;-;

[@arianneseavey2328]

tazz 505 SAME

[@akuasalaam490]

Ohhhh... How I needed this... Thank You!

[@xbox6886]

saw this in 8th grade. 1994. Still remember this

[@rorygustin5156]

We had to learn this in middle school. Music class, 1998 I think. Lol

[@aaronjones6148]

I have a connection with the last comment I learned this song in my school!!!!!

[@sammyrumore3784]

I have came to remind you of this

[@lovechild519]

EXCELLENT performance Nana Malaya‼️ Keep making our people proud❣️🙏🏾😁💯💃🏾

[@azizip171]

Alafia, Nana Malaya! I'm glad that I happened upon this video of your and your drummers' performance of "Funga Alafia". I'm proud to know you. Here's some information about this multifaceted dancer, choreographer, speaker, teacher, and entrepreneur: Nana Malaya is originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. One of her children is movie and television actor Lamman Rucker. The poem "I Am the Original Dance Machine" (3:20 in this video) was written by New York City dancer/choreographer Bob Johnson, who also lived in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and in 1969/1970 was the founder of the Pittsburgh Black Theater Dance Ensemble. Nana Malaya was a member of this esteemed dance company. Ase, Nana Malaya!

[@azizip171]

Click pancocojams.blogspot.com/2019/04/three-youtube-videos-of-funga-alafia.html for a 2019 post from my cultural blog entitled "Three KZbin Videos Of Funga Alafia Songs & Dances". That post showcases this video & two other videos of performances of "Funga Alafia". Selected comments from this discussion thread are also included in this post. This is Part II of this pancocojams series. The link to the other parts to this series are given in that post. Part I is entitled "The REAL Origin Of The Song "Funga Alafia" - Hint It Isn't A Liberian Song, Or A Nigerian Song, Or A Traditional African Song" (This song was composed by Larocque Bey an African American man in 1959 or 1960.) Part III showcases performances of "Fanga" by Olatunji, a Nigerian drummer/composer who was one of the first persons to introduce traditional African music to people in the United States.

[@Thatssosade]

I remember singing this at school my friends were disrespectful saying funga Alafia your feet ashy ashy😕

[@arlenerogerswilhite2236]

Love this I saw this on Circle Unbroken...on Tubi documentary A Gullah Journey thank you I want to teach others about this awesome tradition

[@dillDevoted]

Somethings from school u just don’t forget but never know exact

[@deliceblabla649]

we did this for our spring conser

[@joshuaknight8257]

We had a traveling group come to our elementary school in NC USA 32 years ago and I still remember this like it was yesterday

[@eneyejoygbedee2870]

I love this song it is the best it makes me feel happy

[@jcyberj]

Pearl Primus, (1919-1994),the anthropologist and choreographer of African dance introduced Funga to the USA. "Movements and gestures are a language as Ms. Primus spoke the dance story." Quote from Dr. DeAma Battle of Art of Black Dance and Music.

[@abnurse1234]

full with

[@malayarucker-oparabea2351]

I DANCED AND TOURED WITH MS PEARL PRIMUS!!!

[@robertmezzio9937]

@@malayarucker-oparabea2351 I still teach this for my 5th graders. We use the Djambi, recorder, and other pitched and unpitched percussion. We also do the movement along with a narrator who does the reading. I am glad that you have been the vessel to share this beautiful and freeing music from Africa.

[@essence4232]

I learn this song in school

[@tashachilds4971]

My dance class danced to this song when I was about six and we sang Funga Alafia at the beginning of the dance. And as I watch the dance I realize we almost did the exact dance. Now I understand why we were the opening dance. We had our heads wrapped and scarves tied to our fingers. SIP LEE ACO, BEST DANCE INSTRUCTOR EVER.

[@linaluv215]

Did anybody go to Cooke Middle School? Lmao I remember going to a college field trip where we learned this and the dance. On the school bus ride back home, one of my friends did a beat on the back of the leather school bus seat and the whole bus sang this in hip hop form 🤣🤣 we remixed it, and had the whole bus lit. Omg I will never forget that moment. That was like 17 years ago. Good memories.

[@user-eo8mg4ls4x]

When I was in 5th grade my music teacher taught me and my classmates this song!

[@feliciacorso6620]

My son just performed this with his kindergarten class yesterday. I’m so glad they are still teaching this in schools.

[@ladyris10]

I remember learning this song when I was little. Beautiful song and memories :-)

[@Superbl0bby]

When I was in 2nd grade an African singing group came to our school and the main guy said “you guys are never gonna forget this song” and I never fucking did Funga alafia ashay ashay amirite

[@johara3333]

I remember this from Kwanza

[@maddieme8590]

We have to learn this song is music right now 2020

[@maddieme8590]

5th grade

[@CopperMe9]

get it, Nana!

[@iamconradiamlucas8414]

it is so cool

[@brad47]

I had a concert at my with this song.

[@ivyhuertas1933]

I remember singing this song in second grade. Mind you I was the only white skinned student in that school

[@blueflashgamerd9686]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/fYXImJ6Df9Zka68

[@marieandreavillegas944]

i know that songgg!!!! we use to sing it at school , we use recorder

[@drangonslayer1203]

I also had to sing this song at school in eighth grade

[@malachigrey4895]

I sang this at school in 1st or 2nd grade, I am 20 years old and it's still stuck in my head LMAO

[@exnihilo3279]

RITE AHHJ

[@StreetHierarchy]

EVERYBODY had to sing this song in elementary school. At least if you went to school in the 90s.

[@toddconiglen]

HOW MANY HEATS DOSE IT HAVE PLESE TELL ME

[@That_Car_Guy_1]

3:57 “I DON’T SEE YOUR ARMS MOVING!!!”

[@jenniparra8671]

I had to do this at school

[@djl8303]

I'm learning it right now

[@patricelittle2509]

You are great Just the Way You Are

[@georgiasullivan4667]

Patrice Little but I hate myself

[@MaraMcHaleeee]

this song has been stuck in my head since elementary school

[@jamalpayne115]

Takes me back to my New Orleans Jazz festival day's!

[@dylanverkler4552]

Learned it in elementary school

[@justinaharrison2228]

We sung this school BRONX 96

[@nsg1072]

Had to sing this in music class lol

[@daniellopezeverest]

Awesome thank you for sharing reminds me when I was a kid in the elementary school I saw this presentation

[@lily11037]

My sister LOVES to dance to it!

[@thomasdominic6secondchanne873]

My music teacher played this my music teacher was just like not a room with a lot of silence I love it

[@gissellebastida2148]

I love this and we are learning this in music class.

[@kendrarhodes6425]

Learned this in elementary school!

[@dogstylez585]

We had a huge group of African people come and do this at my school 20 years ago.

[@anthonybirmingham717]

These people were at my school 😳

[@GoldenChyldHD]

Greatest song ever, my bud AJ loves it

[@BBQgamez]

This is I had to sing this at school today with my whole class and we made up a game with it

[@burgerworth722]

We had to sing this in 5th grade and once we heard it we sang it every time our music teacher mentioned it. It made one kid extremely mad.

[@That_Car_Guy_1]

With my thoughts, I welcome you. With my words, I welcome you. With my heart, I welcome you. See, I have nothing up my sleeve.

[@SunnyMackey]

We spent almost 2 years on this song at school. Not necessarily learning it, just adding new parts and repeating it