Maloya kabosé
Davy Sicard Lyrics

The song "Maloya kabosé" by Davy Sicard is sung entirely in the Creole language of La Réunion, a French island off the coast of Africa. The lyrics describe a journey or experience, starting with lines that express a desire to seek the light and to keep it close, as well as a desire to open up and let oneself be seen fully. The chorus repeats the phrase "ral in maloya kabosé," which can be interpreted as an invitation to dance the maloya, a traditional Réunionese music style that blends African rhythms and language with French and Indian influences. The verses contain further images of movement and change, with the night falling and the singer asking why the listener is not sleeping. The lines "na pa rod konèt out zistwar/ni kisak ou lé" express a sense of not needing to know everything about someone's story, but rather being content to share a meal together. Overall, the song seems to be an invitation to connect with others and to celebrate the joy of being alive.

The song "Maloya kabosé" has roots in the cultural and political history of La Réunion. Maloya music was originally created and performed by enslaved people who were brought to the island from Africa and Madagascar in the 18th and 19th centuries. The music was often used as a form of resistance and as a way to preserve cultural identity despite oppressive conditions. In the 1960s and 70s, maloya experienced a revival as part of a broader movement to reclaim Réunionese culture and to fight against colonialism and discrimination. Today, maloya is recognized as an official cultural heritage of La Réunion.