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.
Deka
Dobet Gnahoré Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Moulé pan pian pêgni kan moulé tati bomi éhé han wohouwo.
Onan ma gbé ôdô zi.
Datignindékado a gbê a min.
Onan ma gbé odo zi.
Kanko amoua kouro sili bousô min.
Moulé panpian mingnikan moulé tati bomi éhé hann wohouwo
The lyrics of Dobet Gnahoré's song Deka are in a West African language called Bété, and they are rich with cultural references and poetic imagery. The song appears to be about a person who is reflecting on their life and their place in the world. They are thinking about the dialects and traditions of their people, and how they can be both proud and burdened by them. The line "Dialect wiyo edo gnin wiyo edo gnin" translates to "Our dialect, our tradition, our tradition", which seems to emphasize the importance of cultural heritage to this person.
The song also includes references to nature, such as "Moulé pan pian pêgni kan" which means "The forest is rustling with the rain", and "moulé tati bomi éhé han wohouwo" which can be interpreted as "The trees are whispering secrets". This suggests that the natural world is important to the person singing the song, and perhaps they find solace or inspiration in the beauty and mystery of the natural world.
Overall, the lyrics of Deka are thought-provoking and poetic, and they invite listeners to ponder the importance of cultural heritage and the natural world in their own lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Dialect wiyo edo gnin wiyo edo gnin teo mo kou wo wa déolé ô gbê a hônê pa wo.
We speak our own language, with our own accent and rhythm, which might be unfamiliar to others, but we don't apologize for it.
Moulé pan pian pêgni kan moulé tati bomi éhé han wohouwo.
We dance joyfully, moving our bodies to the beat of the drums, expressing ourselves freely.
Onan ma gbé ôdô zi.
We sing songs that have been passed down through generations, connecting us to our ancestors.
Datignindékado a gbê a min.
We acknowledge the struggles and hardships of our forefathers, and strive to honor their legacy.
Onan ma gbé odo zi.
We sing songs of hope and resilience, inspiring us to overcome any obstacles.
Kanko amoua kouro sili bousô min.
We wear vibrant colors and bold patterns, expressing our pride in our heritage and culture.
Moulé panpian mingnikan moulé tati bomi éhé hann wohouwo
We dance with abandon, letting the music and our spirits guide us to a place of pure joy and freedom.
Writer(s): dobet gnahoré + colin laroche de féline
Contributed by Ian F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@sakidimusic
👏🏿👏🏿 The Golden voice
@EyanStHelen
Performed at jazz in Laborie, St. Lucia several years ago..... since then been mesmerized by this song yet I don't know what the lyrics say. Awesome power of music!
@ngorankouadioesaie76
Tro forte cette dame . j'aime pratiquement toutes ses chansons. Pure produit de l'Afrique.
@gnakopascalgbede3502
Ce qui va me kil c'est qu'elle chante facillement dans les langues étrangère et c'est merveilleux,vive la côte d'ivoire et vive l'Afrique
@darioedson9476
Dobet G. Hum... essa mulher tem uma voz que faz acreditar que sim! Existe paraiso
@chigwesibanyama1148
This woman is truly amazing. She's very special...
@taino20
On s'entend la musique de la salsa et du Caribe dans cette chanson.
Que vive l'Afrique!
@youhnes
Tel père, telle fille. Je ne sais pas pourquoi je ne suis pas srpris par la reussite de cette fille. CHAPEAU MA BELLE. J'AIME CETTE CHANSON MÊME SI JE NE SAIS PAS DE KOI ELLE PARLE
@staceyanimacie2539
Nice balance between the authentic feel and Westernized slickness.
@siwgnadre1837
agréable a écouté... continue de nous plonger la vrai musique. Dieu tinspire tjrs