"George Z. Bush" wrote in message
...
Yeff wrote:
On Thu, 27 May 2004 16:13:58 -0400, George Z. Bush wrote:

When it was originally introduced into our country, it was a sort of
anthem of South Africa's black "freedom fighters", hence my equating it
with racism.

It wasn't introduced into America, it originated here. "Kumbya" is from
the Gullah dialect of South Carolina and means "come by here."

Some people, like you, claim it originated from the Gullah people of
South
Carolina, others claim its origin is from Angola and/or Nigeria. I just
say
that the first time I heard it, it was introduced as a folk song from
South
Africa. I don't know which story is the right one, so you stick to your
story
if you want.....I'll stick to mine.

Nothing new about you sticking to the wrong story...

"And of course there's kumbayah. According to ethnomusicologist Thomas
Miller, the song we know began as a Gullah spiritual. Some recordings of it
were made in the 1920s, but no doubt it goes back earlier. Published
versions began appearing in the 1930s. It's believed an American missionary
couple taught the song to the locals in Angola, where its origins were
forgotten. The song was then rediscovered in Angola and brought back here in
time for the folksinging revival of the 50s and 60s."

www.straightdope.com/classics/a980911a.html

Also, note that Angola is not South Africa?

Brooks


George Z.