Ani Kuni

[sdi]

There is a song that is lately becoming popular, called Ani Kuni. The first version I heard was a few years ago, a duet by Malte Marten of the German band Yatao and singer Mia Sommer:

Watch on YouTube

More recently, French duo Polo & Pan released an upbeat version that topped the charts:

Watch on YouTube

The song is apparently a prayer of the Arapaho tribe, indigenous to Colorado and Wyoming (and, surprisingly, headquarted not far from where I presently live). A translation of the lyrics runs like this:

Father, have mercy on me,
Father, have mercy on me;
Because I'm dying of thirst,
Because I'm dying of thirst;
Everything is gone—I have nothing to eat,
Everything is gone—I have nothing to eat.

("Father," in this context, should be understood as a creator deity.)

It is interesting to me that a plains hymn of desperation has made it's way halfway around the world and is becoming well-known in Europe. Two data points is too few to generalize from and the vagaries of global media notwithstanding, it's had me wondering about Europe's collective karma and if they will have cause to pray for food and water soon.

May the Gods grant each of us whatever it is we need.

Comments

[open_space]

This is beautiful thanks for the music and context!