Performed by Tute Chigamba, Irene Chigamba, Musekiwa Chingodza, and Ngonidzashe Chingodza, from the album Muzazananda
“Mukai Tiende” (Wake up, let’s go) teaches people not to sleep too soundly, because long ago there were wars between various groups of people. So while you are sleeping, if you hear a single person say, “Wake up, let’s go,” that means there is trouble. You must wake up, and go. So it reminds us of that, “Mukai Tiende.” It is a reminder.
It also applies when I leave home. I must know if all of the children here have slept well. Have they come out of their rooms? Are they here? I am leaving. Is there anyone who is sick? Then I stand up, and I leave. If I leave before finding this out, I will come to back to hear, “We’ve taken a child to the hospital, he was ill all night.” I wasn’t aware. So we must greet each other each morning, “How did you sleep?” “How did you sleep?” If someone wakes up ill, and you haven’t greeted him, “How did you sleep?” then you’ve made a mistake. Yes, so that is why it is said, “Wake up, let’s go.”