A Song About Life, Friendship, and Learning Bemba-INCHINGA (Bicycle)

🎶 Inchinga (Bicycle)

By Dr. John Sendama | KitweOnline.com

Have you ever seen a friend change overnight because of a little success? INCHINGA (BICYCLE) is a heartfelt Bemba song by Brenda Zee, that tells the story of two close friends whose bond is broken after one of them buys a bicycle. What used to be laughter and companionship turns into distance, silence, and even insults. The message is clear: wealth or progress shouldn’t change who we are at the core.

🌍 A Story We Can All Relate To

The lyrics take us through four powerful verses, each revealing the transformation of a once humble man. From eating nshima together to being ignored in the street, the contrast is both emotional and familiar. In many African communities, stories like this happen every day. The song acts as a mirror—reflecting our values, relationships, and what truly matters in life.

📘 Learning Bemba Through Music

But INCHINGA is more than just a song. It’s also a perfect learning tool for those interested in the Bemba language.

Each verse is packed with real-life vocabulary, daily expressions, and natural sentence structures that can help learners:

Recognize verbs like twalelya (we used to eat), twaleseka (we laughed), and bashitile (he bought).
Understand context-based meaning, like how inchinga becomes symbolic of change.
Practice pronunciation and rhythm through song repetition.

We’ve included both the original Bemba lyrics and English translations, making it easy for learners of all levels to follow along and build their language skills.

Lyrics-INCHINGA – (BICYCLE)

lyrics-INCHINGA – (BICYCLE)

[Verse 1]
Kale twalelya ubwali pamo
[We used to eat together]
Twaleseka pamo
[We laughed together]
Twale isha pamo
[We hung out together]
Twalechulila pamo
[We suffered together]

[Chorus]
Apo bashitile nchinga
[Ever since he bought his bicycle]
Balileko kumposha
[He no longer greets me]
Tabasekaseka
[He’s ever in a serious mood]
Tabekala pang’anda
[He’s never at home]

[Verse 2]
Nomba bachesha pamusebo
[He’s ever on the road]
Ba tandala mu ma bar
[Hangs out in bars]
Umo shachela,
[The whole day]
Bashinguluka fye
[He’s roaming about]

[Verse 3]
Kanshi ifyuma filacinja!
[So this is what riches can do to a man]
Nshaishibe ati kuti baponta!
[I never imagined he could slap me down]
Kuti batukana!
[He would be insulting]
Basho lupwa!
[Leave his family]

[Verse 4]
Inchinga emukashi
[The bike is now his wife]
Emunabo
[It’s his best friend]
Elupwa lwabo
[It’s his family]
Ala bali cinja!
[Oh how he has changed!]

📺 Watch, Listen, and Reflect

The music video keeps things simple: a still image, an animated audio waveform, and the raw emotion of the vocals. It’s a minimalist approach that draws attention to the message and the language.

▶️ Watch the video now on KitweOnline’s YouTube Channel

✍️ Final Thoughts

Whether you’re learning Bemba, reflecting on life’s ups and downs, or simply enjoying a good local tune, INCHINGA offers a unique experience. It’s music with meaning—and a gentle reminder that even a bicycle can change a man.

💬 What do you think?
Have you had a friend switch up on you?
Or maybe you’re learning Bemba through music?
Drop a comment and let’s talk!