by Thobile Mazibuko
Raising a newborn is difficult, especially for a first-time mother of a 9-month-old baby girl.
There was a time I believed my child didn't like me. Whenever I tried to rock her to sleep, she remained fussy. But when my sister did it, she fell asleep. Initially, this brought up feelings of jealousy. However, my sister convinced me to try singing to her, which I did.
Music, especially the mother’s singing, has emotional and developmental benefits for the baby. A study conducted by Sage Journals in 2018 on infant interactions among 43 mothers and their infants revealed that singing makes the mother and child closer.
My singing helps with my daughter's development and helps me calm her down and bond with her. This is an experience shared by many mothers. Sindisiwe Mpanza (not her real name), a stay-at-home mother, says she likes playing "Thula Baba" for her baby because it resonates with her life. The original composer of "Thula Baba" is unknown, but in 2017, Wouter Kellerman and Soweto Gospel Choir remade it.
Bongiwe Mbatha, a single mother who uses music as a coping mechanism says singing helped her bond with her child in an unimaginable way. “Singing a lullaby to my baby was the best thing ever, especially when she was breastfeeding. When she would nurse, I would sing, and she would play and touch me until she fell asleep. I realised that singing for her assured her that I’m there. Whenever I sang for my baby, she would have a good night's sleep," she says.
Nthabiseng Sephetlho chooses to play music instead of singing. “I downloaded kid's nursery rhymes and it’s a lifesaver. I’ve been playing it for her since she was six months. Now, she’s 11 months and it helps a lot, especially when I want to do chores.”
If you want to create an African lullaby playlist for your child, we have compiled a list of a few songs that you can add.
"Ndikhethe Wena" - Ami Faku (South Africa)
"Ndikhethe Wena" speaks about how the baby is the greatest gift. You could be having a bad day, but once you get home to the excitement in your child’s eyes, nothing else matters. Suddenly, everything feels right. This song is about a mother who chooses her child above everything else.
"Mwanangu Lala" - Frank and His Sisters (Kenya)
“Lala” means sleep in most African languages, while “Mwanangu” means “son” in Swahili. This song is dedicated to all baby boys because, like girls, they deserve to know that they matter and are loved.
"Sana Lwam" - Thesis ZA (South Africa)
Probably one of the best lullabies I’ve heard. It’s a song you play for your baby at night after a long day at work, reassuring them that you haven’t abandoned them, but you have to work so they can get a better life. It’s perfect for the chest-to-chest moment when they are staring at you with those innocent puppy eyes.
"Mba Mon "- Seba, Marylou (Cameroon)
Meaning “Good Son” in Ewondo, a Bantu (native) language spoken by the Ewondo people of Cameroon, "Mba Mon" is a work of art. The instruments are carefully arranged to blend with the vocals, making the mother and baby instantly fall in love with the sound.
"Fatou Yo" - Toure Kunda (Senegal)
Released in 2015, "Fatou Yo" is sung in Balanta, a language spoken in the Southern part of Senegal. The song is about a child who knows their worth. A happy child who knows they are beautiful and will grow up to be anything they aspire to be.