Africa, Geography Songs From Mr. I

AFRICA
ONLY ONE LEFT

Songs and Poems
by Mr. I and the Rainbow Singers

Take a trip around Africa meeting animals, tribes and visiting exotic places! Funny and Fun!

• AFRICA: Special introductory chant is from Dido Morris. FENGA ALAFIA means "Hello, to all, from all directions." This song lists every country name in the continent of Africa, a daunting task, especially since some countries have tended to change their names every few years of late.
  
  
• POLE POLE: (author unknown) Great teaching song for the children to learn some SWAHILI. Real animal sounds.
  Click to Hear Sample
  
  
• TRIBES OF AFRICA They get silly on this song, but it teaches the names of several AFRICAN TRIBES.
  
  
• ZULU WARRIOR Fun little chant for the children to act out.
  
  
• JAMBO - Got this one from a movie soundtrack. Would love to know the composer names. Dynamic, active song. Learn more Swahili.
  
  
• IN THE SAVANNA Gary and Mr. I sing about the savanna in Beach Boys style.
  Click to Hear Sample
  
  
• GORILLA Learn some interesting facts here about gorillas. A group of gorillas is called a troop.
  
  
• OKAPI This was a class favorite. Parents commented on how their children were singing it over and over at home. Describes an endangered species from Africa. Interesting animal.
  Click to Hear Sample
  
  
• THE CHEETAH RUNS FAST The cheetah is the fastest land animal on earth today.
  
  
• DAYS OF THE WEEKSimply translated Charlottes lovely melody into Swahili. Teachers love it.
  
  
• MOROCCAN ROLL Put on your dancing shoes, we’re going to CASABLANCA.
  
  
• MOJA BILI MAMBA Translates as "ONE LITTLE CROCODILE". Or, are they really little?
  
  
• WHITE NILE/BLUE NILE Jazzy description of the Nile River.
  Click to Hear Sample
  
  
• SONG OF THE SAHARA Fascinating to learn about the Taureg tribe. The composer read a book about a couple who got married and then travelled across the Sahara on camel as their honeymoon. Boy, did they get to know each other, or what.
  
  
• A RAM SAM SAM - Funny little nonsense chant and round from Africa. Fun in the classroom.
  Click to Hear Sample
  
  
• KOKOLEOKO (folksong from Liberia) This was a favorite in the classroom, especially the part about running around the room and acting like "crazy" chickens. And has become a favorite on the CD as well.
  Click to Hear Sample
  
  
• AT THE MARKET (South African folk melody with words by Louise Kessler) - What a delight it would be to experience a market in Africa. Imagine all the unique things that would be displayed. Gary finds something of importance.
  
  
• ELEPHANT POEM (Fingerplay by Mr. I) Here you go teachers, something for the really young ones. Don’t forget to make a funny elephant sound when you lift up your elephant trunk!
  
  
• MT. KILIMANJARO Another beautiful song-- The children enjoyed singing it.