Hottentottilaulu facts for kids

Hottentottilaulu is a well-known Finnish song. Its name means "The Hottentot Song" in Finnish. This song is a Finnish version of a Norwegian song called Visen om vesle Hoa. The original was written by Norwegian author Thorbjørn Enger. Jukka Virtanen translated the song into Finnish, and Olli Heikkilä composed the music.

What is the Song About?

The song tells the story of a young boy named Huua Kotti. He is described as living in Africa near the Chickadua river. The lyrics mention that he is "black as if washed with soot" and wears very few clothes.

Asui kerran Afrikassa Chickadua-joella, pikkupoika Huua Kotti musta kuin pesty noella. Ei ollut puettu Kallen tavoin, kulki melkein paljain navoin. Siten kulki Huua Kotti, hän oli oikea hottentotti.

Once upon a time there lived a small boy Huua Kotti in Africa along the Chickadua river, black as if washed with soot. He was not dressed like Kalle, he went almost with his belly button bare. So went Huua Kotti, he was a real Hottentot.

The song describes Huua Kotti as a "real Hottentot." This term was historically used to describe a group of people in Southern Africa, but it is now considered outdated and can be offensive.

When Was the Song Released?

The song was first released in 1961. It was performed by Maikki Länsiö and Esa Saario. Over the years, many other artists have recorded their own versions of the song.

Who Else Recorded the Song?

Some of the well-known artists who have recorded Hottentottilaulu include Vesa-Matti Loiri, Markku Suominen, Veltto Virtanen, and Tuomari Nurmio. Each artist brought their own style to the popular song.

Understanding the Song's Portrayal

The song has been discussed because of how it describes the "Hottentot" people. The Helsinki city library has noted that the song presents them as happy, childlike, and harmless characters from a fairytale.

Are the Details in the Song Real?

Many details in the song about the tribe's customs and living conditions are not real. For example, the names used in the song are made up. Also, the song mentions bamboo, which mostly grows in Asia, not typically in the parts of Africa where the "Hottentot" people lived. Because of these made-up details, some people feel the song gives a misleading or even disrespectful picture of real people and cultures.