“African Counting Song”

Description

"Ninni nonni simungi, Ninni nonni simungi, Ninni nonno sidubi sabadute simungi. Ninni nonni simungi, Ninni nonni simungi, Ninni nonno sidubi sabadute simungi."

Notes

Scarborough's informant claimed that this was a counting song from Africa, but if he gave either a translation or a reference to the *part* of Africa, Scarborough failed to record it.

I do note that there are five words. Given what it known about some African counting systems, this raises the possibility that they stand for "one," "two," "three," "four," and "many." But I frankly doubt the whole business. - RBW

References

  1. Scarborough-NegroFS, p. 19, "African Counting Song" (1 text, 1 tune)
  2. BI, ScaNF019

About

Author: unknown
Earliest date: 1925 (Scarborough)
Found in: US(Ap)