Why does music make us cry?

The symphony of emotions and the mathematical harmony behind music’s power

“Music is the universal language of mankind.” — Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

The South African singer Miriam Makeba, a contemporary of Nelson Mandela, is perhaps best known for bringing African music to the global stage, particularly through her powerful performances and her signature song, Pata Pata.

Known affectionately as Mama Africa, Makeba used her music not only to entertain but also to highlight the struggles and injustices faced by her people under the South African regime of apartheid. Her voice, rich with emotion and resilience, became a symbol of hope and resistance for many. Her dedication to social and political issues, coupled with her unique musical style, made her an international icon and a beloved figure within and beyond South African borders.

Recently, another of her famous songs, Qongqothwane, known in English as “The Click Song” and often referred to as the Xhosa “Wedding Song,” has resurfaced in public consciousness. It was notably featured in shows like “Britain’s Got Talent, with a few takers using the song as their audition song, again, even mimicked, to great fanfare.”