Rangi Zetu

Rangi pambo lake Mungu, rangi haina kashfa,
Ni wamoja walimwengu, wa chapati na wa mofa;
Walaji ngano na dengu, wazima na wenye kufa,
Rangi pambo lake Mungu, si alama ya maafa.

Colour is God's adornment, colour has no stigma,
They are Earthly brethren be they unliven or liven bread eaters;
Those who eat wheat and lentils, the dead and the living,
Colour is God's adornment, it is not a sign of misfortune.

Ni urembo wake Mungu, mwenye miliki ya sifa,
Na pambo la walimwengu, shahada ya taarifa;
Wanjinga wa ulimwengu, rangi hudhani kashfa,
Rangi pambo lake Mungu, si alama ya maafa.

It is God's beauty, the owner of praise,
and adornment of the world, a testimonial statement;
The fools of the World consider race to be a curse,
Colour is God's adornment, it is not a sign of misfortune.

Hashindwi kupamba mbingu, viumbe na mataifa,
Kila tendo lake Mungu, hutendwa kwa maarifa;
Hubadili walimwengu, kwa kuzaliwa na kufa,
Rangi pambo lake Mungu, si alama ya maafa

He is able to adorn the Earth, creations and nations,
Every action of God is done with wisdom;
He changes Earthlings through birth and death,
Colour is God's adornment, it is not a sign of misfortune.

Abridged poem by Shaaban Roberts
Translation; my own.