The “Joy Joy Joy” of Malawian Worship

One of the greatest joys about going to Malawi is getting the opportunity to be a part of Malawian worship. As I explained to our kids’ choirs here at home…we are spoiled by pianos, guitars, drum sets, CD players, microphones and screens with words. In Malawi, the people use what God gave them…their bodies! Malawian worship is more than simply singing. It is clapping, it is moving, it is dancing, it is raised voices and it is genuine worship from the heart.

One of the most-loved songs that American teams bring home in their hearts from Malawi is “Palibe Ofana Ndiye”. This is a popular worship song that has been heard in places other than Malawi, and is posted in various forms on the web. There are motions that are performed along with the chorus section. Although the tune, tempo and even exact lyrics vary with each hearing, the general translation is simple:

There is no one like Jesus, there will be no one like Him. I have walked all over the world, I have rounded everywhere, I have searched everywhere; there will be on one like Him.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXJrBrzyzAk Watch “Palibe”

A new song that I learned from the children is called “Njo, Njo, Njo”. It is a very fun song that is done in a statement/answer form. The leader sings a line and the children add in with “Aleluja” and repeat the line. Each set of words are repeated 4 times, the statements are made in whatever order the song leader desires, and the chorus is interspersed throughout. There are actions for each word set. The best part of the song is the ending words the leader sings. When I asked what the words meant to signal the abrupt ending of the song, I was told the literal translation was “Shut the mouth”. Now THAT was funny!

Jesus gives me joy. (What are ways we show that joy?) By smiling/laughing, jumping, clapping, dancing, making sounds, sitting down and standing up.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrsAoct5Gr8 Watch “Njo, Njo, Njo”

Last is a familiar song to people who have ever attended Vacation Bible School. Some Americans thought it would be fun to teach the Malawian kids how to sing American songs. One of those songs was “Father Abraham”. The Malawians listened, learned and then promptly “made it their own” by adjusting the tempos, rhythms and pronunciations. The result is a delightful version of the song that will leave you singing the rest of the day.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZKNiWnh0Hk Watch “Father Abraham"