Dobet Gnahoré, a singer, dancer and percussionist from the Ivory Coast, inh… Read Full Bio ↴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, 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.

Inyembezi Zam
Dobet Gnahoré Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Ndiyeke ndife
Ndikhalin yembezi zegazi
Ndifunukufa ndidedwajwi
Kuba andifuni kushiya shiya
Na pha kati kwethu

Ukunceda abancinane
Nokubaleka kobobunzima

Akhomntu othenbe noncemelomnyé
Ingulowo nalowo uzimelen dhwini

Dhwini dhwini

Ngamanyama xesha ndiyazibuza ukuba
Leliphina elilizwe ndipilakolo
Ayomélé langa kangakô
Ndisho imithi nomhlaba
Ayomele langa kangakô

Akomfou nou kou yen domyen nen
Ngaba en difunoukou yen obousso mougegobamon
Akomfou nou kou yen domyen nen
Ngaba en difunoukou yen
Ndifun kunya maiala andazukuba ninga

Balékélaphina balékélaphina
Ndifun kunya maiala andazukuba ninga

Senzamdaka ilizwé lethu.
Ilizwé lethu mama ko owe
Ndisho imithi nomhlaba

Ayomélé langa kangakô
(Sung in Xhosa (South Africa)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Dobet Gnahoré's song Inyembezi Zam are deeply emotional and expressive. The song is sung in Xhosa, which is a language spoken by the Xhosa people of southern Africa. The lyrics express a feeling of sadness and hopelessness, as the singer talks about being overwhelmed by her tears and wishing for death. She says that she does not want to leave her home, but she also feels a strong desire to help others who are suffering. The repeated phrase "dhwini dhwini" seems to represent the sound of her crying, emphasizing the depth of her pain.

The song also touches on themes of cultural heritage and connection to the earth. The singer talks about asking questions about her identity and feeling rooted in the land. She mentions "imithi nomhlaba," which means "trees and the earth" in Xhosa, suggesting that she draws strength and identity from the natural world around her. Overall, the song is a powerful reflection on the complex emotions of grief and the ways in which our cultural and environmental backgrounds shape us.

Line by Line Meaning

Ndiyeke ndife
I will let go and die

Ndikhalin yembezi zegazi
I cry tears of blood

Ndifunukufa ndidedwajwi
I long for death, my heart is heavy

Kuba andifuni kushiya shiya
Because I do not want to leave anything behind

Na pha kati kwethu
Here in the middle of us

Ukunceda abancinane
To help the little ones

Nokubaleka kobobunzima
To escape from difficulties

Akhomntu othenbe noncemelomnyé
There is a person who is hurting and needs comforting

Ingulowo nalowo uzimelen dhwini
Here and there are people suffering

Dhwini dhwini
Suffering, suffering

Ngamanyama xesha ndiyazibuza ukuba
At these dark times, I wonder