Watoto Wangu

The lion is perhaps one of the most fearsome predators in the animal kingdom. It can run at breakneck speeds and rip apart prey with ease. It is no surprise, therefore, that the Mijikenda community came up with a catchy song to warn young children of the very real dangers that lions pose.  

‘Watoto wangu’ is a sing-along game sung from the perspective of a mother giving a stark warning to her children to beware the king of the jungle – lest he kills you. 

How to Play 

Before the game begins, a circle is formed. Children will hold hands and swing them in preparation for the tune to begin. The game consists of the game leader who takes on the role of the mother in the song and the game players who take on the role of her hildren. 

The game leader – typically a teacher – will take on the role of the mother addressing her children in the song. The song begins with the mother singing about being in ill-health and no longer being able to face the wrath of lions. The song goes on to emphasise the ferocity of the lion and recounts the people that the predator has killed – a testament to the lion’s ruthlessness. 

The person leading the game will then say ‘Njioni? (Come on). This will beckon children to come towards the game leader. The children the respond with ‘Twaogopa!” (We’re afraid).  

The game leader ends the song by shouting out ‘Simba Ala!’. This exclamation prompts the children push and shove each other until they all tumble to the ground to save themselves from the Simba.  

The Song 

Watoto wangu…ee 

Watoto wangu…ee 

Mimi mama yenu…ee 

Sina nguvu tena…ee 

Ya kuuwa simba…ee 

Simba ni mkali…ee 

Aliuwa baba…ee 

Aliuwa mama…ee 

Watoto wangu…ee 

Njioni! 

Twaogopa! 

Simba Ala! 

Watoto Wangu Today 

These days, many may recognise this song as a common nursery rhyme that ends with children in a bubbly, giggling pile as they attempt to escape from the ‘lion’ at hand. Watoto Wangu has come a long way since its days as a lyrical tool for keeping children away from lions. Even so, it remains a classic earworm that many Kenyans can gleefully sing-along to.   

Do you remember playing this dynamic game as a child? Did you know about its initial use as a cautionary tale for children?