The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #99389   Message #1979559
Posted By: Azizi
26-Feb-07 - 12:43 AM
Thread Name: African Folk Songs
Subject: RE: African Folk Songs
"Funga Alafia" is usually said to be either a Liberian or a Nigerian greeting or welcome song.

The first verse of the song is usually given as:
Funga Alafia
Ase Ase
Funga Alafia
Ase Ase

-snip-

"Alafia" {ah-LAH-fee-ah} is a Yoruba {Nigeria} greeting word which is often translated as 'welcome'. "Ase" {ah SHAY} means God's power/energy.

I'm not sure what 'funga' means. Nor do I know how it happens that Alafia is a Yoruba and a Liberian word.

One simplified translation of this song could be:

Welcome! Welcome! May this day bring you good health, energy,
and power.

For more on the meaning of ase {pronounced ah SHAY}, see this excerpt from
http://www.africaresource.com/ijele/vol1.1/morton.html :

"Ase means "power" or "authority". However, the meaning of Ase is extraordinarily complex. Ase is used in a variety of contexts. One of the most important meanings is the "vital power, the energy, the great strength of all things." Ase also refers to a divine energy manifest in the process of creation and procreation. Ase invests all things, exists everywhere, and is a source for all creative activity. Again, Ase often refers to the inner power or "life force." Ase also refers to the "authority" by which one speaks or acts."