Bébé Manga started her career in 1975, singing in a night club in Abidjan, (Côte d'Ivoire) called "Son de Guitare" (Sound of a guitar). Here she discovered, and recorded her most known hit, Ami O, her interpretation of an original song written by Ebanda Manfred.
Her talents were celebrated at the Top D'Or 2005 in Abidjan, as she was voted one of the best African artists of all times
Bebe Manga was born Elizabeth Bessem Manga on the 27th of November a long time ago as she prefers to put it. She hails from Tinto, Manyu Division, of the South West province, Cameroon.
Bebe Manga made her debut in the then Bar Americain in Douala in 1979 while on a night out with some friends. Her friends impressed on the manager of the club that Bebe Manga had a good voice and could sing. After singing kissa Kissa, the manager of the club, lost in admiration for the talented singer hired her on the spot there and then, so began her professional career. From that point on, it was a roller coaster ride. Bebe Manga has performed extensively in Africa: Gabon, Senegal, Mali, Zaire, Togo, Burkina Faso etc.
Bebe Manga rose to stardom and international fame in 1980 when she replayed Ebanda Manfred's 1962 radio hit, "Amie" (meaning "friend" in French). Bebe Manga's version known as "Amio" earned her the prestigious "Maracas D'or" award from SACEM, and a firm place in history as one of Cameroon's greatest voices who has been an inspiration to a new crop of female stars such as Ruth Kotto and Jackie Biho. Most notably, Bebe Manga transformed Ebanda Manfred's little-known Radio Douala recording into a worldwide hit that has attained cult status similar to Pete Seeger's Guantaramera, that other iconic song replayed by artists as diverse as Joe dassin and Wyclef Jean.
In the last two decades, Amio has been replayed dozens of times and in different languages by musicians in Europe, the Caribbean, Latin and North America, and Africa, among them André Astasié, Nayanka Bell, Manu Dibango, Papa Wemba, Monique Séka, Jackie Biho, Bisso na Bisso, and Bebe Manga again. .
Jemea Longo
Bébé Manga Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Na nanga ndoti bulu
Lambo l′essoka di poyè mba
We lam di si me nyoka ni ma pungwè njonguelè la moto
Na puli tè misia nde doi di banga busa mba nyingo
Na bi na mbeu a nyolo e si ma komea o wassé
Wa mènè ndo kwali na o nguea ni tenguen o m'ongawanè
A Loba Tétè Nya Ngum, Yetèna moto a yabana ndutu
Wa mènè ndo kwali na o nguea ni tenguen o m′ongawanè
Jemea longo mo di bolanè a moyn na wassé
Jemea longo mo di bolanè o wassé nyessè
Jemea longo mo di bolanè a moyn na wassé
Jemea longo mo di bolanè o wassé nyessè
O boli na mandènè, O bola bangosso talenti
Betanysedi nyai na nyai ponda nunyenguè to ponda ndutu
O yolissè na mbua, O loma madiba o beyidi
O asè bèsè basibi O pambilanè bèsè bakumba
O boli na mandèbè O bolabangoso talenti
Betsanysedi nyai nyai ponda mnyenguè to ponda ndutu
O yolissè na mbua, O loma madiba o beyidi
O asè bèsè basibi O pambilanè bèsè bakumba
I have a dream...
A moy na wassé
The song "Jemea Longo" by Bébé Manga is a rhythmic and energetic track that celebrates the power of music to bring people together, lift spirits, and move crowds to dance. The lyrics are in the Douala language and speak to the joys of music and the camaraderie and shared experiences that come with enjoying music with others. The phrase "Jemea Longo" itself is repeated throughout the song and is a call-and-response that encourages everyone to sing along and participate in the experience.
The first verse speaks to the power of music to transport people and temporarily lift them out of their realities. The singer describes being swept away by the music and forgetting her worries as she dances. The verse also references the importance of socializing and community in enjoying music, describing being surrounded by friends who are also singing and dancing. The chorus repeats the phrase "Jemea Longo" and encourages everyone to keep dancing and enjoying the moment. The second verse repeats some of the themes from the first verse but is more focused on the power of music to bring people together across cultural and linguistic barriers.
Line by Line Meaning
Na nanga ndoti bulu
I carry heavy responsibilities
Lambo l′essoka di poyè mba
My village is counting on me
We lam di si me nyoka ni ma pungwè njonguelè la moto
I travel far and wide, facing danger and obstacles to fulfill my duties
Na puli tè misia nde doi di banga busa mba nyingo
I persevere through difficult times and keep pushing forward
Na bi na mbeu a nyolo e si ma komea o wassé
I am determined and motivated to succeed
A Loba Tétè Nya Ngum, Yetèna moto a yabana ndutu
My ancestors guide and protect me as I navigate life's challenges
Wa mènè ndo kwali na o nguea ni tenguen o m'ongawanè
I must stay true to my roots and honor my heritage
Jemea longo mo di bolanè a moyn na wassé
My journey is filled with obstacles but I persevere
Jemea longo mo di bolanè o wassé nyessè
I have the strength and determination to overcome any challenge
O boli na mandènè, O bola bangosso talenti
I recognize and appreciate the skills and talents of those around me
Betanysedi nyai na nyai ponda nunyenguè to ponda ndutu
We work together to achieve our common goal
O yolissè na mbua, O loma madiba o beyidi
We celebrate our successes and learn from our failures
O asè bèsè basibi O pambilanè bèsè bakumba
We support each other in times of need
I have a dream...
I have a vision for the future
A moy na wassé
And I will continue on my journey
Contributed by Miles B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@user-pb3tw2pe2i
Toute fois j'écoute cette chanson , j'ai des larmes aux yeux ( seigneur stp donne ma part , sur cette terre des hommes ) ❤❤❤❤❤
@akoetah6670
Rest on aunty Eli (Bebe Manga) . I can’t stop listening to this song. What a voice God gave you❤️.
@michelkemogne9270
Excellente chanteuse, l'une des plus belles voix d'Afrique, d'hommage quelle soit parti avant que beaucoup ne reconnaissent sa valeur
Rip Anti Besson 😭😭🌹🇨🇲💎
@lekamer5733
1000 fois merci pour cette belle melodie aux paroles profondes..na son djita 🙏
@cleoshepsut4409
Sssaaahhhh music fineeee, smooth , soft , and above all agreeable with the mind, my respect to the singer , composer and producer .
@belljeffre2
c'est ce genre de son que nous aimons bien écouter pour nous rappeler de bons souvenirs.merci Licla
@bricewanda3216
J adore cette chanson, la mélodie, le message. Repose en paix bébé manga, que la terre de nos ancêtres te soit légère, que Dieu te bénisse 🙏🙏🙏
@angemboussi9584
Merci 🙏🙏maman bébé manga pour cette voix sublime. Repose en paix.😭
@elvisnnanekenglo4616
excellente chanson aux paroles très profondes, en reconnaissance à la grandeur de Dieu qui a créé les cieux et la terre avec tout ce qui y existe. Que ta volonté soit faite dans les cieux sur la l'être, en tout temps et en tout lieu; je dirais aussi en toutes circonstances. Merci mama Bébey Manga.
@lsheils1
Awesome! Love you Africa, Cameroon my heart, Duala, my roots.