the very beginning of "circle of life" in Swahili

[thanigraphics]

When TLK starts, you hear, I guess, Lebo M. singing in Swahili, before the english lyrics of "Circle of Life" start. Now Thani, my boy, is really curious what these lyrics in Swahili mean, and what the text has to do with the story.
You also hear a kind of background choir singing in an African language, maybe Swahili, singing in the background of songs with English lyrics. Does anyone know where a translation of these can be found?

[Simba]

he's singing in Zulu, not Swahili. here are the lyrics and what I know of the translations:

Nants' ingonyama bagithi baba (Here comes a lion, father)
Sithi uhhmm ingonyama (Oh yes, it's a lion)
Ingonyama (lion)
Nants' ingonyama bagithi baba (Here comes a lion, father)
Sithi uhhmm ingonyama (Oh yes, it's a lion)
Ingonyama (lion)
Siyo nqoba (We're going to conquer)
Ingonyama (lion)
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala (A lion and a tiger come to this open place)
[last line repeats]

there's some debate on the main chant about whether it's tiger or leopard, though.

[RayCat]

I know, I've always been wondering the same thing! I'm gonna do some research I'll return with whatever I find!

[Moka]

[quote="Simba"]there's some debate on the main chant about whether it's tiger or leopard, though.[/quote]

Most people think it's Tiger, but here's a website that says otherwise: http://www.lionking.org/~taabani/

[LilTiger]

(Go Tiger XDXD)

Yeah, I really don't know. But whatever it is I'd probably like it.

[Simba]

well, I actuall saw it as Ingonyama n'nengw' enamabala before, which I suppose could be a contracted form for and tiger. but I also think it's more sensible for it to be a leopard since tigers don't live in Africa. of course, didn't Zimmer say it was "Here is a lion and a tiger" or something along that line in one of those "journies" on disk 2 of the special edition?

[thanigraphics]

thanks, he was wondering.... it's a kinda basic lyric, but it's fun to know what it means, though Thankies LilTiger!!

[KovusTrueMate]

I agree with Simba/AJ. I looked it up in Google Translator and it is that!

[Mike]

*casts his vote for "Tiger"* lol ^.^ Thanks for the research!