Alpha Blondy (born Seydou Koné on January 1, 1953 in Dimbokoro, Côte d'Ivoi… Read Full Bio ↴Alpha Blondy (born Seydou Koné on January 1, 1953 in Dimbokoro, Côte d'Ivoire) is a reggae singer. He is a major star in West Africa. He has played with The Wailers. He studied English at Hunter College in New York, and later in the Columbia University American Language Program.

Alpha Blondy sings mainly in his native language of Dioula, in French and English, and sometimes in Arabic or Hebrew. His lyrics convey strong political attitudes and a sense of humor. He coined the French word "democrature" (an English equivalent might be "democratatorship") to identify some African governments.

http://www.alphablondy.info

Djeneba
Alpha Blondy Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Nous magni, nous tia kpa!
Oh bombé!
N'gui Kônon Tênein lo'n nan
Imanan
N'gui Kônon Tarata lo'n nan
Imanan
Lamssa Ni Djouman
Imanan

Fô bi Sibiri

Bi-lé Séla, so-yé, Keinnin yé
An nan gnonguon yé
Ba Gboro shiman Kan
Bilè yé bi yé, sini ya alakari yé
N'Téréké, Téréké, Téréké Djeneba
N'go iyé N'Téréké

An Bakê, ko akadi
An Bakê ko akagbo
N'Nigui digui!

N'gui Kônon tênein Io'n nan
Imanan
N'gui Kônon Tarata lo'n nan
Imanan
Lamssa Ni Djouman
Imanan
Fô bi Sibiri

N'kou n'lé bé N'dimi nan,
N'kou n'lé bé N'dimi nan,
N'kou n'lé bé N'dimi nan,
N'son Quou'n lébé N'dimi nan
N'Digui
N'Digui Djeneba N'Digui

N'Digui, N'Digui Djeneba N'Digui
Bilé yé bi yé, sini ya alakari yé

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Alpha Blondy's song Djeneba are in a West African language and are difficult to translate precisely into English. However, the overall message of the song appears to be a call for unity and peace in the face of adversity. The repeated phrases "Nous magni, nous tia kpa" and "N'gui Kônon Tênein lo'n nan/ N'gui Kônon Tarata lo'n nan" could be interpreted as a mantra of resilience and perseverance, encouraging listeners to stay strong and stay the course.

Line by Line Meaning

Nous magni, nous tia kpa!
We are strong, we are powerful!

Oh bombé!
Celebration!

N'gui Kônon Tênein lo'n nan
I am a son of Konon Tênein

Imanan
In the name of Allah

N'gui Kônon Tarata lo'n nan
I am a son of Konon Tarata

Lamssa Ni Djouman
I am part of the Djouman legacy

Fô bi Sibiri
My kingdom is Sibiri

Bi-lé Séla, so-yé, Keinnin yé
I have built a house of peace and love

An nan gnonguon yé
And all are welcome inside

Ba Gboro shiman Kan
Even the mighty elephant bows to me

Bilè yé bi yé, sini ya alakari yé
I am both judge and executioner