Moutya Lullaby
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Moutya Lullaby Lyrics. An original lullaby inspired by moutya, a Seychellois drumming and dance tradition rooted in the islands’ African heritage. During the era of slavery, moutya songs sometimes carried hidden meanings, a way for enslaved communities to comment on their conditions in code, and the goatskin drums used in performance are still traditionally warmed by an open fire beforehand to tighten the skin and sharpen the sound. Here you will find the lyrics, meaning, and chords.
Lyrics & chords
An original arrangement, with guitar & piano chords above each line.
Verse
What the words mean
Chords — guitar & piano
What “Moutya Lullaby” Means
“Manman” means mother in Seychellois Creole. Moutya, a drumming and dance tradition rooted in the island’s African heritage, was once sung in secret by enslaved communities and is now celebrated openly across the Seychelles. This original lullaby draws on those drum and granite-boulder images of Seychellois Creole life, with “manman” used as a warm address rather than a literal translation.
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