Ecopolis

The chorus of this song sung in Dimasa language is a Dimasa murithai (folk song) which is sung in a teasing, sarcastic manner to younger generations to encourage them to learn the art of weaving and crafting. This is an age old folk song passed orally from generation to generation. There are no recorded versions of these folk songs and as a result, many of the songs are getting lost in time.

Lyrics of Ecopolis

Am I moving too fast?
Am I making to last?
Am I waiting in line?
Am I wasting my time,
making myself so busy?

Am I taking too much?
Am I talking too much?
Am I fighting to earn?
Am I lighting to burn,
relearn and decolonize me?

Buma bo daoringya?
(Mother doesn't know how to weave)
Bupha bo horingya?
(Father doesn't know the art of craft) Nana gajao maikhala bara ning thurinang?
(When the beautiful baby is born,
what will the baby sleep on?)
Bari ni laisho daindada, uraning thurinang?
(Will you cut the leaves of the banana plant around the fence of your house, and let the baby sleep on them?)

I am walking with Earth.
I am talking with birds.
I am breathing and listening,
sensing and feeling the changes of my Metropolis.

I give you my love!
I give you my word!
I will give what I receive.
I feel what you need.
You're turning into Ecopolis!

Buma bo daoringya?
(Mother doesn't know how to weave)
Bupha bo horingya?
(Father doesn't know the art of craft)
Nana gajao maikhala bara ning thurinang?
(When the beautiful baby is born,
what will the baby sleep on?)
Bari ni laisho daindada, uraning thurinang?
(Will you cut the leaves of the banana plant around the fence of your house,
and let the baby sleep on them?)

 

This contribution is part of Alternative Worldviews.