Miriam Makeba-the lion sleeps tonight

Let’s try interdisciplinary learning

Thanks to the lovely animation video “the lion sleeps tonight” by an hippo and a little dog (for beginners)  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVRgYLN4YkA&feature=related we  hinted at Miriam Makeba, a great South African singer  (born in 1932 near Johannesburg) and civil rights activist, who died in November 2008 during a concert for Roberto Saviano.

PLEASE TRANSLATE INTO GERMAN/ITALIAN

Miriam came first to the public’s attention as a featured vocalist with the Manhatten Brothers in 1954. She even sang at President Kennedy’s birthday and in 1963 she held a speech against apartheid before the United Nations. Mrs. Makeba knew Harry Belafonte and worked together with him creating such classics as “The Click Song” or “Pata Pata”.

When she wanted to return to South Africa because her mother had died her passport was retracted and she couldn’t fly back. She  eventually fled to exile in Guinea because of these harassments. In 1990 following Nelson Mandela’s release from prison she returned to South Africa as a free citizen.

One of her famous songs is called “A  PIECE OF GROUND”

Here is a link for the lyrics:

http://biggaff.blogspot.com/2008/11/miriam-makeba-piece-of-ground.html

Some questions to the meaning of the song. (Give answers)

- What did the white man want to do when he found new ground?

- Were there  any other people who wanted their piece of ground?

- When was gold found in South Africa?

- Why did the black man have to work in the mines?

- What happens if the white man sleeps too long?

BITTE  UEBERSETZT DIE FOLGENDEN SAETZE ROBERTO SAVIANO BETREFFEND AUF ENGLISCH ODER ITALIENISCH

Roberto wurde am 22. September 1979 in Neapel geboren.

Er studierte Filosophie und schreibt als Journalist für verschiedene wichtige Zeitungen/Zeitschriften.

Seit  der Veröffentlichung seines Buches “Gomorra”  muss er seinen Wohnort immer wieder wechseln, sich verstecken und wird von der Polizei beschützt.

Er ist verschiedentlich mit dem Tod bedroht worden, weil er anscheinend versucht mit der Literatur und Reportagen die Wahrheit über das organisierte Verbrechen zu erzählen.

Piece of Ground

more about “Miriam Makeba“, posted with vodpod