Ozali Mzambe Na Mawa

Faveur Mukoko's song 'Ozali Mzambe Na Mawa' is a deeply spiritual and emotional plea for divine presence and support. The lyrics, sung in Lingala, a Bantu language spoken in the Democratic Republic of Congo, reflect a profound sense of vulnerability and dependence on a higher power. The repeated lines 'Naza na nga makasi te' (I am not strong) and 'Tikala pembeni na nga' (Stay by my side) emphasize the singer's recognition of their own limitations and their need for divine companionship and strength.

The song also contrasts the fleeting joys of the world with the eternal joy that only the divine can provide. 'Bisengo ya mokili oyo eza na ngo ya libela te' (The joys of this world are not eternal) and 'Kaka yonde opesaka bisengo ya libela' (Only you give eternal joy) highlight the transient nature of worldly pleasures and the enduring happiness that comes from a spiritual connection. This theme is a common one in many religious and spiritual songs, where the focus is on the eternal and the divine rather than the temporary and the material.

Mukoko's lyrics also express a deep sense of gratitude and awe for the divine love and mercy. The lines 'Yo ozali nzambe na mawa, Nga na tatoli ngolu nayo' (You are a merciful God, I testify to your grace) and 'Nkolo yo olingi ngayi mingi, na moni yango na bomoyi na Nga' (Lord, you love me so much, I see it in my life) convey a heartfelt acknowledgment of the divine's unwavering love and forgiveness. The singer reflects on their own unworthiness and the transformative power of divine grace, asking rhetorically what they can give in return for all the blessings they have received. This sense of humility and gratitude is a central theme in many religious traditions and is powerfully conveyed through Mukoko's emotive performance.