Amazigh Kateb (b. September 16, 1972), is a French singer of Algerian origi… Read Full Bio ↴Amazigh Kateb (b. September 16, 1972), is a French singer of Algerian origin. He was the lead singer of the group Gnawa Diffusion founded in 1992. He is the son of Yacine Kateb the founder of modern algerian literature.Gnawas was the name given to slaves from guinea who were brought to Morocco and Algeria and converted to islam.

Amazigh is a Berber term meaning “a free man.” Amazigh Kateb Yassin, as his name suggests, is a free man!
Amazigh is considered the blues singer of North Africa. As a young singer, he founded the group Ghanawa Diffusion that became well known in the French and Algerian music scenes, distinguishing itself by combining the traditional and the modern.

"I am also very proud of the most beautiful gift I received from my father, my name: “Amazigh.” This name disturbs the “Arabized” and the Berbers alike. The Arabs want me to be part of them without my Berber name, and the Berbers blame me for not commanding their language. I find this condition infinitely amusing."
He was born in the Algerian capital, from which he and his father fled for France a few days before the events of October, 1988 (the beginning of the conflict between the government and the Islamic opposition). Amazigh settled in the city of Grenoble, far away from glamorous Paris. He hadn't returned to Algeria except once, to bid farewell to his dead father, whose novel, “Star,” is considered a milestone in modern Algerian consciousness. Then Amazigh Kateb Yassin finally returned to his city after a long time in May 2001, right at the peak of the demonstrations which saw tens of thousands of Berbers in the streets, marching in defense of their rights and cultural uniqueness. He left the Gnawa Group in 2007 to become a solo singer.

Dounia
Amazigh Kateb Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Where′s it coming from .!!
Never mind
Douniaa douniaa
Oooh hadi dounia
(Dounia dounia iiiih hadi dounia)

Dounia o ya syadi dounia dayra bikom
(Dounia dounia iiiih hadi dounia)

Dounia o ya hbabi, 3la mizan el ghonia
(Dounia dounia iiiih hadi dounia)

Dounia kif langham mara frach o mara ghta
(Dounia dounia ooh hadi dounia)

Hadi denia dayra bina
Hadi denia dayra bikom
Ya hbabi (hadi denia)
Lil o nhar (hadi denia)
Kbar o sghar (hadi denia)
Fdiha o asrar (hadi denia)
3liha langham (hadi denia)
Jahl o islam hadi denia daro 3liha makhalawshi ll fou9ara

Dounia dounia ooh hadi douniaaa
(Dounia dounia iiiih hadi dounia)
Dounia o ya hbabi dounia dayra bikoum
(Dounia dounia iiiih hadi dounia)
Ooooh maya oooh oh maya
Oh hadi maya
(Dounia dounia iiiih hadi dounia)
Maya o kif el nasma
Maya o b el ganga
Maya o hada el hwa dyal el maya
Hadi maaya
Golo m3aya (hadi maaya)
Wlidat el raya (hadi maaya)
Fiha d3aya (hadi maya)
Kif el mraya (hadi maya)
Fi khatrkom (hadi maya)
B hzankom (hadi maya)
B frahkom (hadi maya)
Bikaom ya wlad ifri9iya la7rar

Hadi naghma kif el denia tahya o tmout
T3ich o tafna

Dounia dounia oooh hadi dounia
(Dounia dounia iiiih hadi dounia)

Dounia o ya syadi
Dounia dayra bikom
(Dounia dounia iiiih hadi dounia)
Denia o moulaha ellah
Denia o machya b el niya
Denia o mab9a laman f el denia
Denia o hada walo
Walo o li ma3ando
Nas h9ira tedilo ma f el denia

Hadi nas madlouma
Hadi nas mahrouma

Hadi nas madlouuuuuuma madlouma madlouma aaa
Iiih fou9araaaa
Khiratkom mahich khdara!
Iiih fou9araa
Mana hout mana sanara
(Iiih fou9araaa)
O hna wlidat el harara
(Iiih fou9ara)
Wana wlidati bambara
Hadi barkati bambara
(Hadi barkati bambara)

Hadi barakati bambara
(Hada barkati bambara)
Hadi barkati bambara
(Hadi barkati bambara)

O hadi barakti jdoudna
(Ka barkati bambara)

Hadi barakat ikoumbo
(Ka barkati bambara)

Barakat el marboutin
(Ka barkati bambara)
Barakat el makfoufin
(Ka barkati bambara)
Ch7al mn baraka f el tarikh
(Ka barkati bambara)
Wast el dbi7a wast el slikh (ka barkati bambara)
Hadi barkat ifri9ya (ka barkati bambara)
Hadi barkat jdoudna (ka barkati bambara)
Barkaat el marboutin (ka barkati bambara)
Barkaat el makfoufin (ka barkati bambara)
Barkaat jdoudna (ka barkati bambara)
Barkaat ifri9ya (ka barkati bambara)
Barkaat ikomboo (ka barkati bambara)
Hadi barkat jdoudna (ka barkati bambara)
Hadi barkat ifri9iya (ka barkati bambara)
Oooh paris sakna el gloub
Dounia dounia ooh hadi dounia
Dounia ya hbabi dounia dayra bikom

Dounia o ya syadi 3la mizan el ghonia
Dounia kif langham mara frah o mara ghta

Overall Meaning

The song 'Dounia' by Amazigh Kateb can be interpreted as a song questioning the value of the worldly existence. The song begins with the singer asking 'Where's it coming from?' and then dismissing it with 'Never mind,' implying that the origin of the world does not matter. He then repeats the phrase 'Dounia, Dounia' (meaning 'world') several times, conveying a sense of skepticism towards the world.

In the following lyrics, he addresses the world directly, saying that it revolves around humans, who are like passengers on a journey, and that it is guided by the principles of music. He also mentions that the world is full of contradictions, and it is neither all light or all dark. He then repeats the phrase 'Hadi Dounia,' emphasizing that this world is what it is.

The song then moves towards addressing societal issues in Morocco. The singer mentions that society is divided by class, and that people use religion as a tool to divide and oppress others. He mentions 'Fou9ara,' which is a term used to refer to marginalized people, such as the homeless or the poor.

Overall, the song is a melancholic yet powerful criticism of the world and its injustices.

Line by Line Meaning

Where's it coming from .!!
Asking about the source of something.

Never mind
Dismissing the previous question.

Douniaa douniaa Oooh hadi dounia (Dounia dounia iiiih hadi dounia)
Repeating the song title 'Dounia' which means 'World'.

Dounia o ya syadi dounia dayra bikom (Dounia dounia iiiih hadi dounia)
Addressing the world and acknowledging that it revolves around people.

Dounia o ya hbabi, 3la mizan el ghonia (Dounia dounia iiiih hadi dounia)
Acknowledging that the world is a balance of wealth and happiness.

Dounia kif langham mara frach o mara ghta (Dounia dounia ooh hadi dounia)
Describing how the world is like a pendulum going between joy and sadness.

Hadi denia dayra bina Hadi denia dayra bikom Ya hbabi (hadi denia) Lil o nhar (hadi denia) Kbar o sghar (hadi denia) Fdiha o asrar (hadi denia) 3liha langham (hadi denia) Jahl o islam hadi denia daro 3liha makhalawshi ll fou9ara
Stating that the world belongs to everyone, both young and old, and that it has its mysteries and secrets, highlighting the importance of understanding it and not leaving it to the uneducated.

Dounia dounia ooh hadi douniaaa (Dounia dounia iiiih hadi dounia) Dounia o ya hbabi dounia dayra bikoum (Dounia dounia iiiih hadi dounia) Ooooh maya oooh oh maya Oh hadi maya (Dounia dounia iiiih hadi dounia)
Repeating the song's main theme, and highlighting the importance of the world, while mentioning Maya, a common name in Amazigh culture.

Maya o kif el nasma Maya o b el ganga Maya o hada el hwa dyal el maya Hadi maaya Golo m3aya (hadi maaya) Wlidat el raya (hadi maaya) Fiha d3aya (hadi maya) Kif el mraya (hadi maya) Fi khatrkom (hadi maya) B hzankom (hadi maya) B frahkom (hadi maya) Bikaom ya wlad ifri9iya la7rar
Describing the different aspects of Maya, such as its sound and water, and how it affects people's lives. Also addressing the listeners, calling them the children of a free nation.

Hadi naghma kif el denia tahya o tmout T3ich o tafna
Saying that this song is like life with its ups and downs, and encouraging people to live and enjoy it to the fullest.

Dounia dounia oooh hadi dounia (Dounia dounia iiiih hadi dounia)
Repeating the song's main theme.

Dounia o ya syadi Dounia dayra bikom (Dounia dounia iiiih hadi dounia)
Addressing the world and acknowledging that it revolves around people.

Denia o moulaha ellah Denia o machya b el niya Denia o mab9a laman f el denia Denia o hada walo Walo o li ma3ando Nas h9ira tedilo ma f el denia
Describing the different aspects of life, ranging from God's will, personal motivation, the absence of security, and its social aspect, highlighting that everyone is free to live their own life in their own way, and that the world gives the opportunity for everyone to do so.

Hadi nas madlouma Hadi nas mahrouma Hadi nas madlouuuuuuma madlouma madlouma aaa Iiih fou9araaaa Khiratkom mahich khdara! Iiih fou9araa Mana hout mana sanara (Iiih fou9araaa) O hna wlidat el harara (Iiih fou9ara) Wana wlidati bambara Hadi barkati bambara (Hadi barkati bambara)
Describing the oppressed and marginalized people, highlighting their struggles and hardships. Referring to people living in poverty. Saying that the deprived youth will either make it or fail in their endeavors. Calling the listeners 'the children of freedom' and acknowledging Amazigh culture.

Hadi barakati bambara (Hada barkati bambara) Hadi barkati bambara (Hadi barkati bambara) O hadi barakti jdoudna (Ka barkati bambara) Hadi barakat ikoumbo (Ka barkati bambara) Barakat el marboutin (Ka barkati bambara) Barakat el makfoufin (Ka barkati bambara) Ch7al mn baraka f el tarikh (Ka barkati bambara) Wast el dbi7a wast el slikh (ka barkati bambara) Hadi barkat ifri9ya (ka barkati bambara) Hadi barkat jdoudna (ka barkati bambara) Barkaat el marboutin (ka barkati bambara) Barkaat el makfoufin (ka barkati bambara) Barkaat jdoudna (ka barkati bambara) Barkaat ifri9ya (ka barkati bambara) Barkaat ikomboo (ka barkati bambara) Hadi barkat jdoudna (ka barkati bambara) Hadi barkat ifri9iya (ka barkati bambara)
Singling out Amazigh sub-cultures and societies around Morocco, giving them blessings and wishing them prosperity, peace, and success.

Oooh paris sakna el gloub Dounia dounia ooh hadi dounia Dounia ya hbabi dounia dayra bikom Dounia o ya syadi 3la mizan el ghonia Dounia kif langham mara frah o mara ghta
Acknowledging the world's diversity and mentioning that people around the world live in different places, including Paris. Highlighting the song's main theme once again.

Contributed by Elijah N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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