Rhodesian African Rifles (RAR) "Sweet Banana"

[@motorcop505]

History of the RAR Regimental March: Though it is not known who created "Sweet Banana", it is known it was created around 1942 during the Second World War. It reportedly came about after Rhodesian African Rifles soldiers were escorting Italian prisoners of war off a boat in Durban, Natal Province, Union of South Africa. Due to the large amount of bananas being sold there, the soldiers stopped to buy some and composed a march about it. Upon the end of the war, the RAR were located in Egypt and when they were told their Commanding Officer was returning via the Suez Canal, the soldiers lined the banks to salute him and sang him in to "Sweet Banana". At the 1946 Victory Parade in London, the RAR represented Southern Rhodesia and the band played "Sweet Banana" as they approached the parade dais. Traditionally when it was performed, the soldiers would sing as they marched. When the RAR was disbanded in 1981 following the establishment of Zimbabwe, "Sweet Banana" was performed for the last time as they marched through the streets of Bulawayo towards the ceremony where their colours were laid up. They had originally marched in silence and only performed it in response to hearing a young boy ask his father why the soldiers were not singing. Be sure to check out John Edmonds’ version. He made covers of many of the Rhodesian Regimental Marches in tribute to them.

[@undead9999]

To imagine the entire regiment singing one last time as a gift to a child is heartwarming.

[@RedboneUnincorporated]

very cool history lesson, tyvm!

[@kinkajou777]

Thank you for sharing! From USA!

[@fasted8468]

Welp. you did it. You made me sad to hear sweet banana. Thanks though srsly

[@jothammakwelo7960]

The song was very encouraging. It made many boys join the force ( RAR)

[@smooothest]

Strange to think a song about buying someone a sweet banana, makes you wanna crush communism with your brothers

[@ftargr]

They’ve got a good bass section, mind

[@SimonFCK]

FUCK COMMIES!!!...

[@hewie1238]

@@ftargr but no top tenors like

[@kebman]

Why is that so strage? Who wants to stand in line for a day just to buy a banana!

[@MarkGoding]

@@hewie1238 You think the Welsh can't do better?

[@stormywindmill]

A couple of times during my bush "Stints " as a member of a patrol of Greys Scouts we found our selves mutually Laggerd up for the night with an RAR unit ..What a splendid fighting force of men . And a tragedy what happened to them .

[@josephkony5473]

I am not aware of what happened to them, could you tell me?

[@gideonvanniekerk4252]

what happened to them?

[@pocat6]

@@josephkony5473 after the war they were tracked down and persecuted. Most didnt have anywhere else to go.

[@bill4all782]

I think you are quite mistaken, RAR earned Mugabe's respect soon after independence when they put down the ZIPRA uprising at Entumbane.They even got promotions and he relied on them as a professional fighting force making the backbone of the new ZNA.

[@highlandrab19]

@@bill4all782 only those that agreed to switch sides many natives black or white faced brutal retribution that the new government conveniently overlooked and illicitly encouraged.

[@normalplayer7377]

I have nothing but respect and admiration for them and Rhodesia. They were brave soldiers.

[@bonganihadebe2765]

I was in the selous scouts God bless the selous scouts

[@truenorthgames]

SELOUSI SHUMBA 💪

[@hectorsalamanca2961]

I was part of ZANLA

[@Richie4321richie]

@@hectorsalamanca2961 Seriously? What are your thoughts looking back after all this time?

[@VaucluseVanguard]

I heard this sung once, by a small group of soldiers in a remote camp long after their own country had gone and the one they fled to was disapearing - they were in the South African Army in the late 90s. Some were old enough to be originals but most too young.

[@glendodds3824]

'The demographics of the regiment were nearly identical to the black demographics of the nation. The RAR was about 85-90 percent Shona . . . 10-12 percent Ndebele, and a much smaller percentage of other tribes. By comparison, the black Rhodesian population was approximately 19 percent Ndebele, 77 percent Shona, and 4 percent other tribes (Tonga, Venda, and Shangaan).’ Michael Stewart, The Rhodesian African Rifles - the Growth and Adaptation of a Multi-Cultural Regiment through the Rhodesian Bush War 1965-1980, 1998, p.17.

[@drinks1019]

Dont forget the white officers, just like the tiny white minority of Rhodesia.

[@rognvaldrasbjrn3972]

The bravest of the brave. The Rhodesia armed forces put everyone to shame.

[@gerogegerog5926]

aCtUaLlY iTs RhOdEsIaN sEcUrItY fOrCeS

[@kengingrich8102]

Impressive! I can feel the soul of those soldiers who once fought for a free Rhodesia.

[@bollejos3756]

HAHAHAA FREE RHODASIA

[@bollejos3756]

@morton christie haha lol racist says the one who is for fuckin Rhodiasians

[@bollejos3756]

@@joshuaauclair7188 ok grammar police

[@bollejos3756]

@morton christie ok i am a racist XD do you even know what the country Rhodesia is an what it stands for XD don't come with theat bullshit about killin commies it was a lot more then that XD

[@bollejos3756]

@morton christie Lol k then Rhodie my xbox is still here we can't say the same about Rhodesia.

[@Neniwofuti]

the most senior unit in the Rhodesian Army.

[@JenniferUpton_2]

+Neniwofuti The RAR was actually the second oldest Regiment, after the Royal Rhodesia Regiment, which fought in WW1. The Rhodesian Native Regiment also fought during WW1 from 1916 - 1919.

[@alantags7033]

One of the proudest moments in my life being a platoon commander with 1 (indep) Coy RAR. 3 platoon!

[@tylernathan7985]

True Patriots! Fighting the terrors of Communism!!!!!!!! So underrated! Some of the best soldiers of the 20th Century! LONG LIVE RHODESIA!!!!!!! I’ll never call it Zimbabwe!!!!

[@tomster1414]

Friggiing goose bump stuff !! Great unit, always feel sorry for them as I'm sure many were murdered after Mugabe came to power :(

[@zim93boy]

The Rhodesians had a very well disciplined force after the war the black nationalist groups and the Rhodesian armed forces were merged. In the process of these mergers many Rhodesian officers were retired and replaced with black nationalists who knew little about actually building and maintiaining a force that was world class. For the African rifles the unit was disbanded and officers were spread out into the new units of the Zimbabwean defence forces. Zimbabwe's army now is a shit sandwich.

[@thembakhumalo-li7bl]

​@@zim93boyNonsense

[@龍天-y4k]

They're boarding the 'vomit comet '. They only did that when the helicopters weren't enough. They were also paratroopers. They fought proudly as one with the Rhodesian Security Forces. We salute them always.

[@龍天-y4k]

ZANLA and ZIPRA feared these soldiers. RAR are true Rhodesian. Great soldiers - Respect.

[@frogfinance4605]

communists are cowards so it checks out

[@royalordinance]

i met an ex rli guy in twickenham, what a soldier, what a privilege! his son is a hardbitten recon.

[@龍天-y4k]

I will always love and respect the Rhodesian African Rifles. Great soldiers, wonderful Rhodesians. SALUTE.

[@glendodds3824]

There were many excellent black troops in the RAR (and some other units) but the Shona, Matabele and Venda etc were seldom referred to as Rhodesians at the time. Normally, the word "Rhodesian"' was used to refer to the whites, as was true for example in an article published by the Rhodesian Ministry of Information in the mid 1960s which says that there were around 220,000 Rhodesians. At the time, the total population of the country was several million strong.

[@goulven05]

Best wishes to all former Rhodies and RAR servicemen, hugs from Brazil! 🇧🇷🤝🇳🇫

[@Keef19661]

Long live Rhodesia!!!! Greetings from Russia!! My brother's!!!

[@RH-oe1dc]

My Great Uncle was a major in the RAR. If anyone thinks they might have known him, I'll send more details

[@konradrosen1756]

Probably the best most under rated combat formation

[@龍天-y4k]

What a beautiful song. The RAR have our eternal respect. SALUTE.

[@Michael-0000]

Hard to believe that this is coming up for 50 years in the rear mirror. As fresh as yesterday! Beautiful song.

[@stewartorr1939]

I would go back to basic to serve with those guys

[@alnonickname570]

thankyou Mr Jenkins, for uploading the most authentic version of this anthem, apparently recorded at the Hard Standing at BallaBalla, around 1974. Recorded on an old cassette audio tape recorder, raw and unaccompanied. What became of our RAR at the end of the war - 'traitors' to the new order. I thank and salute every one of them. Sarai zvakanaka, endai zvakanaka, varume vakuru!

[@PlutoniumDioxide]

True heroes and patriots

[@SS08947]

Recorded on the parade ground at Shaw Barracks, Balla Balla I believe.

[@nervousmoyo3101]

I grew up in that millitary camp stayed at the flats next to the swimming pool which is next to the drill tared ground opposite the coperals mes I can name everything in that camp phase 1tophase 2 civilian quarter I'm the son of wo2 Gilbert "chiki"Moyo 1itd

[@cheryalroywither3416]

What wonderful Men and soldiers they were.Salute them all

[@onwardchl8239]

best Rhodesian war songs

[@bbdeathgrips]

Oh don’t mind me just sobbing at 3am completely sober and emotionally moved by the brave RAR

[@markrowtree8308]

best regimental song ever

[@samy7013]

Easily the best Rhodesian regimental song, bar none!

[@petebondurant58]

My God, but this is beautiful!

[@islamicschoolofmemestudies]

Sounds badass. They really love their country

[@Infidel7153]

A once mighty army !

[@kackblue2963]

Infidel7153 always a mighty army

[@oneoff2798]

A Once!

[@elcasey]

Best LOVE from USA! Some of us still believe!

[@douglasstrother6584]

Sounds like African Gaelic. Brothers from extreme latitudes.

[@mwanikimwaniki6801]

East African bantu languages sound like this

[@douglasstrother6584]

@@mwanikimwaniki6801 Interesting!

[@CamilleCullen-ow6qj]

I was there in 1974. I loved Rhodesia!!!

[@vilasalazar]

muhondo nero nyararo.. God bless all who know/knew this song

[@davidmadden1195]

A fantastic tribute to the very brave men black and white.

[@ChuckMahon]

The glory and hope that was Rhodesia!!!

[@leonardmaramba1033]

Laughable - only applicable to one colour!

[@rolandhynd4908]

I only lived in Rhodesia for five years but still count myself Rhodesian!

[@griffgoldstein6378]

Some of the finest men to have ever served.

[@jenssperling6020]

God bless ,as an example for all of the rhodes.patriots,the rhodesian light infantry.god bless u all.

[@maxbrown8665]

Bonding and Empowering! Thank you for posting the wonderful African harmony "Sweet Banana" song and my heart-filled compliments to all great RAR African singers.

[@rhodesia1578]

The finest soldiers in the Rhodesian war .. much respect to my black African brothers … pambere 🙏🏻

[@gerrybarry1700]

I was there sometimes. Sorry I left behind 1980. Intaf etc.

[@wowalamoiz9489]

What is up with songs about bananas always being extremely catchy?

[@benjaminmanz9824]

I love this song so much my heart is pumping I feel my brother in Arms or so Wat nice so yas

[@龍天-y4k]

Amazing soldiers - not given their due respect because of a warped history. But we know: the Rhodesian African Rifles are superb. Will always be remembered with pride and honour. SALUTE.

[@jz2212]

Rhodesia is immortal

[@redpilledrhodesian1407]

Cheers!

[@2byteCode16]

Its dead, Zimbabwe is better

[@bradleyleipe2067]

@@2byteCode16 do you live there?

[@lesleymeech1398]

RIP (10/2019) my beloved brother Ian Gates served with the RAR proudest years of his life. 😢

[@masakazustephen8915]

I don't know how the hell I got here, but I'm listening to the tune for the third time

[@AndrewLale]

Real warriors. May they live forever.

[@j.d.peppmeier9041]

What can be better than soldiers armed with FN FALs ?!!

[@j.glennbauer508]

Blerrie el, those men... what voices they had. Vocal & FN.

[@Brian-xi8ug]

This song gives me the chills it's so good!

[@uarhodesian]

Great Song! Great Unit!

[@joshuagraham3]

Agreed!

[@Richie4321richie]

Beautiful! The harmony is just incredible 👌

[@davidmadden1195]

Total respect for those brave people.

[@Richie4321richie]

So simple but so good!

[@leahdambe734]

I remember it as if it was yestereday 🇧🇼

[@andypaterson3462]

I want to go home.

[@straightedgerick]

Chills every fucking time.

[@bjollnirbjordsen9795]

The RAR were badass

[@joshkenney8808]

Is there a version of this not on KZbin?

[@michaelx1809]

My uncles regiment ♡

[@MrOne974]

Brave guys

[@DJhuggo]

amazing warriors !

[@firefly361]

God Bless RAR

[@liam7903]

heroes one and all

[@straatcaveman7503]

So long Rotten Bob.

[@davidmadden1195]

Beautiful !!!!

[@sidi45]

Filing into one of those ancient Daks

[@CantThinkofaCoolOne]

Amazing. Thanks LJ.

[@truenorthgames]

Black Rhodesians were badass

[@goransevic6545]

Respekt RAR

[@gcoop75]

Love it!

[@georgemanzini7717]

Where can one get a full copy of the song ❤

[@DJhuggo]

amazing !!

[@tetraptych33]

i need a remix of this song.

[@SteveHarrison-w7x]

Thankyou

[@tonykruger871]

An at times under estimated fighting force . It was my pleasure to on occasion deploy and serve next to a world class fighting unit

[@glassengraver]

♥♥

[@j4l4k]

Avē, Imperātor, moritūrī tē salūtant"

[@samf2948]

Excuse my ignorance but would someone mind to explain? I didn't know that the RAR also took part in paratrooping missions. I thought such Douglas flights were only for the RLI and SAS.

[@terranexile3681]

RAR ran fireforce missions as well as the RLI, by memory they had two regions each.

[@samf2948]

@@terranexile3681That is very interesting, thank you. You wouldn't confidentiality happen to know, where both regions were located, wouldnt you?

[@terranexile3681]

@@samf2948 I can't remember where I read it sorry, most of my Rhodesia books are not with me at the moment. Quick scan of easily available info suggests that the RAR operated in the Thrasher and Repulse theatres from their bases in Umtali and Fort Victoria respectively.

[@mauricecuchet3644]

Takarwa Tika Kunda...

[@BMC-hl2uh]

Respect.

[@leahdambe734]

Defence force

[@kackblue2963]

The L1A1 the right arm of the free world and the best gun ever used to this day

[@kackblue2963]

Sorry you are right they are very similar firearms

[@christineprasetyo5718]

@@kackblue2963 Theres the Austrian Stg58

[@batpoolzilla3200]

@@kackblue2963 L1A1 is a variant of the FAL

[@WillHayes44]

*suddenlyappear* G3 *away*

[@FrLawRE]

What language is this song in?

[@RedRUSSI4N]

FFFFFFF I'm pretty sure, that this is in Shona language.

[@FrLawRE]

Jane Armstrong Ok thanks for the info.

[@flamelily2975]

Jane Armstrong ndebele language

[@MasimbaMusodza]

FFFFFFF ChiShona.

[@FrLawRE]

+Masimba Musodza ok. Thanks for the info.

[@andypaterson3462]

Iam a scot.

[@leahdambe734]

Time travel

[@tylernathan7985]

I’ll buy you all a sweet banana……………

[@jaskir1438]

RAR - RLI RSM Rockjaw. Ultimate Soldiers. Rgds PTE 90215385 Pte.

[@Derik-dm8hg]

this is about what should have been

[@marcopolo2395]

😭

[@_ZimZam]

F

[@lss922]

The blonde baddie loading them up, just wow