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.
Dala
Dobet Gnahoré Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Kpata gbalé é Biako
Enè
Wouè me non Biako
Kpata gbalé é Biako
Dala djèko ko drè koua la
Me te non, ne ihire gnon i lélé
Me te non, ne ihire gnon i lélé
Dala djèko djè ba
A iyéyé
Dala djèko djè ba ba
A djènon ne ihiriré wouan la
Grigbèkou
Plassaka aa
A djé
Djékpa la ala
Wa da mè hin
A djènon ne ihiriré wouan la
Grigbè ya kou
Wou hié gribèkou plassaka aa
E Gni ni
Oni yiri mi
Obele ya ko
E Gni ni
Oni yiri mi
Obele ya ko
Dala djèko djè ba
A iyéyé
Dala djèko djè ba ba
Yé i yé
Yé i yé
Dala falii
Dala Djékpa a yéyé an ho
Zékpa dala ayaya Dago io 4x
A ni mi seni wurimi
Inou na djeka daleko
Edra e ka ni lé yakpakpa
Edra e ka ni lé yakpakpa
E a ko me la ko leni
Inou ke so
E a ko me la ko leni
Inou ke so nan
The song "Dala" by Dobet Gnahoré is performed in the Bété language and is an upbeat and energetic song. The lyrics tell a story about a woman who is longing for love and affection from someone who is special to her. She expresses her feelings in a way that is both playful and passionate. In the first few stanzas, she describes herself and asks for the attention of her lover, saying "Wouè me non Biako, Kpata gbalé é Biako, Enè" (My name is Biako, please look at me, Biako).
As the song progresses, she sings about the various experiences of love and passion. She tells the story of a woman who is in love with someone but is waiting for him to take notice of her. She cries out "Dala djèko ko drè koua la, me te non, ne ihire gnon i lélé ", meaning "I am calling to you, my love, please hear me". The refrain "Dala djèko djè ba, A iyéyé" is repeated throughout the song, which means "Come closer to me, my love".
The song concludes with the chorus "Yé i yé, Yé i yé, Dala falii, Dala Djékpa a yéyé an ho" which can be translated as "Yes, yes, Dala is calling, so come to her, my love". This song is a beautiful reflection of the emotions that can be experienced when one is in love and waiting for someone special to acknowledge them.
Line by Line Meaning
Wouè me non biako
My name is Biako
Kpata gbalé é Biako
I come from the land of Biako
Enè
Yes
Dala djèko ko drè koua la
The sound of the drum calls me
Me te non, ne ihire gnon i lélé
My heart beats to the rhythm
Dala djèko djè ba
The drum talks to me
A iyéyé
Oh yes
A djènon ne ihiriré wouan la
Let me sing to the sound of the drum
Grigbèkou
A name of a deity
Plassaka aa
A name of a place
A djé
Let me
Djékpa la ala
I sing out loud
Wa da mè hin
Join me
Grigbè ya kou
Another name of a deity
Wou hié gribèkou plassaka aa
The power of the deity is felt in Plassaka
E Gni ni
Oh my god
Oni yiri mi
My soul is singing
Obele ya ko
Let's dance together
Yé i yé
Yes, indeed
Dala falii
The drum speaks the truth
Dala Djékpa a yéyé an ho
The drum is a way to communicate with the spirit world
Zékpa dala ayaya Dago io 4x
The sound of the drum echoes through the land
A ni mi seni wurimi
My body is the instrument
Inou na djeka daleko
I am dancing to the sound of the drum
Edra e ka ni lé yakpakpa
The energy of the drum is flowing through me
E a ko me la ko leni
Let us dance together
Inou ke so nan
I am lost in the rhythm
Writer(s): Dobet Gnahoré
Contributed by Mia O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
1kissed
bravo pour tes chansons je suis camerounaise mè jè un amis ivoirien ki maide souvent pour la traduction de vos chansons et je dois vous avouez ke j apprécie ce ke vous faites et les messages que vous donnez a vos frères ivoiriens . je prie ke la paix revienne dans votre pays la cote divoire et dans toute lafrike
agui deloth
une musique émotionnelle,sublime et attractive.honneur et respect ma soeur.
daf nganga
dobet,j'ai fais ta découverte en2009 à l'occasion de la fête de l'huma et depuis je ne roule que pour toi,tu es vraiment une artiste au sens propre du mot et franchement dans le sillage de myriam makéba et de angélique kidjo, tu es vraiment une vraie bête de scène.
Larissa Zebehi
Merci Maman car tu valorise ta culture tes sons sont bon a ecouter
Tonton Diego
j'avais tellement cherché ce son , c'etait le generique d'un film qui passait sur RTI 1
Merci a toi qui l'a ajouté
👑SANKOFA 👑
Vraiment je suis dans le même cas 😊
Fousseni BOUNDAHONE
je tassure que jai chercher ce son depuis des annés heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee trop chiccccccccccccccc
Ojberretta Berretta
nice calming voice good to study with for me thx
Joel Christian Bouabre
artiste vraimen formidable,ce son me donne la chair de poule
Cristina Sosa
Ese disco es mi favorito!!!! Gracias por compartir la pieza Valter Micas