Tanzania
Mungu ibariki Afrika
God Bless Africa
1961
1961
Collective
Enoch Sontonga (melody)
✝ God / Faith 🤝 Unity ☮ Peace 🕊 Freedom |
Context
Tanzania's anthem shares its melody with South Africa's 'Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika,' both derived from Enoch Sontonga's 1897 hymn. The Swahili lyrics were adopted at independence in 1961. Tanzania itself was formed by the 1964 union of Tanganyika and Zanzibar, and the anthem's emphasis on unity reflects this merged national identity.
Lyrics
Mungu ibariki Afrika
Wabariki viongozi wake
Hekima, umoja na amani
Hizi ni ngao yetu
Afrika na watu wake.
Ibariki Afrika
Ibariki Afrika
Tubariki watoto wa Afrika.
Translations are non-official and intended to convey meaning, not replace originals
Interesting facts
- • The melody comes from Enoch Sontonga's 1897 hymn 'Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika,' which is also used (in part) in South Africa's national anthem
- • Tanzania was formed by the 1964 union of Tanganyika and Zanzibar; the name 'Tanzania' is a portmanteau of both
- • The anthem is in Swahili, which under President Julius Nyerere became a unifying national language, helping bridge over 120 ethnic groups