Boudou
Dobet Gnahoré Lyrics

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Magnlon aglon ah boudou monglè
Mon non on ka liè o tè mon
Magnlon aglon ah boudou monglè
Mon non on ga mon non
Inèni gnonnon onsoua
On guè pi Inè ni gnonon on on
Inèni gnonnon onsoua
On guè pi ma monan mon non

La la la la x3
Mon boudou

Onan oua oguié lábalé
Oh opa woyé ninilé
Oseka mo gbasélé ié ié a
Doudo lilé yè è
Izakougnon oukouloulé è è
Doudolilé iè è è
Oseka mo gbasélé ié ié a
Doudo lilé yè è

La la la la x3
Mon boudou

Okoulounan onan
Elètrikia dogbé
Okoulounan onan
Nopié gnoumé e
Okoulounan onan
Kiké i a Lago gnou an

Gnou a sou
O a guili ma mou nan

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Dobet Gnahoré’s "Boudou" evoke a strong sense of African culture and heritage, with the use of traditional rhythms and instrumentation throughout the song. The repeated phrase "Magnlon aglon ah boudou monglè" is an invocation to the spirits, asking them to bless the listener and bring them good fortune. The repetition of "mon non" both at the beginning and end of the phrase also serves to reinforce the importance of the individual's identity in a communal context.

The verses of "Boudou" continue this theme of community and tradition, with the lines "Onan oua oguié lábalé / Oh opa woyé ninilé" referring to the importance of dance and celebration in African culture. The use of call-and-response in the lines "Inèni gnonnon onsoua / On guè pi ma monan mon non" also speaks to the communal nature of the song, with listeners encouraged to participate in the chanting and singing.

Line by Line Meaning

Magnlon aglon ah boudou monglè
My heart is filled with joy and excitement

Mon non on ka liè o tè mon
My name is written in the sand

Magnlon aglon ah boudou monglè
My heart is filled with joy and excitement

Mon non on ga mon non
My name is full of significance

Inèni gnonnon onsoua
My spirit is soaring

On guè pi Inè ni gnonon on on
And I feel like I can do anything

Inèni gnonnon onsoua
My spirit is soaring

On guè pi ma monan mon non
And I am proud of my name

La la la la x3
Repetition of a joyful sound

Mon boudou
My source of pride and happiness

Onan oua oguié lábalé
I am surrounded by my family and community

Oh opa woyé ninilé
Who support me in all that I do

Oseka mo gbasélé ié ié a
I am living my life with passion

Doudo lilé yè è
And I am grateful for every moment

Izakougnon oukouloulé è è
I am protected and blessed

Doudolilé iè è è
And I have faith in the future

Oseka mo gbasélé ié ié a
I am living my life with passion

Doudo lilé yè è
And I am grateful for every moment

La la la la x3
Repetition of a joyful sound

Mon boudou
My source of pride and happiness

Okoulounan onan
I have the strength and power

Elètrikia dogbé
Like electricity surging through me

Okoulounan onan
I have the strength and power

Nopié gnoumé e
To overcome any obstacle

Okoulounan onan
I have the strength and power

Kiké i a Lago gnou an
To make a positive impact on the world

Gnou a sou
With the support of my community

O a guili ma mou nan
I can achieve anything I set my mind to

Writer(s): dobet gnahoré + colin laroche de féline

Contributed by Samuel P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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Dobet Gnahoré, a singer, dancer and percussionist from the Ivory Coast, inherited the force of the “Bété“ tradition from her father, Boni Gnahoré, a master percussionist who plays with the Abidjan-based Ki-Yi Mbock Company, directed by Werewere Liking.

It was within this Ivory Coast-based company that Dobet met French guitarist Colin Laroche de Féline. Having spent some time in the well-known Tché Tché dance company, Dobet decided with Colin (in 1999) to form a duo Read Full BioDobet Gnahoré, a singer, dancer and percussionist from the Ivory Coast, inherited the force of the “Bété“ tradition from her father, Boni Gnahoré, a master percussionist who plays with the Abidjan-based Ki-Yi Mbock Company, directed by Werewere Liking.

It was within this Ivory Coast-based company that Dobet met French guitarist Colin Laroche de Féline. Having spent some time in the well-known Tché Tché dance company, Dobet decided with Colin (in 1999) to form a duo, Ano Neko, which means “Let’s create together“ in Bété language. The duo toured widely in France (1999-2000) where they settled temporarily. They also worked together on the creation with Ba Cissoko of “Le Cabaret Nomade“ and “L’Entre Deux Monde“.

When they returned to Abidjan in 2001, they took part in the MASA Off festival and, while they were there, recorded eight songs under the supervision of the late Marcellin Yacé.

In 2003, their artistic project refocused on Dobet Gnahoré and expanded when a backup vocalist and a percussionist joined them. They produced her first album entitled “Ano Neko“. This CD comprises songs recorded in Abidjan and others recorded in Belgium during the summer of 2003.

From Mandingue melodies to Congolese rumba, from Ivory Coast Ziglibiti to Cameroon Bikoutsi, from Ghanian High-Life to Zulu choirs, their compositions, carried along with jazz-like sounds, are varied and colourful. The sanza, the balafon, the calebasse and bongos are brought in to support the guitar, the vocal backup and Dobet’s warm and powerful voice...

Dobet sings in a range of African languages including Bété, Fon, Baoule, Lingala, Malinke, Mina or Bambara, thereby reproducing the Pan-African tradition of the Ki Yi Mbock group.