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.
Issa
Dobet Gnahoré Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ikana djouya idjéréla
Idissé kafra finyéla
I di sé kawa taafé
Wati tétambi habadam
Idissé ki tolo malo
Wéha Wééha
Alou yilassi la lonbé
Anbé dissé kola
Dougnaro ikanagnina
Issa iye ye issa ha ha
Weka ka mouchte aboukoulouyo kamouchte
Ikani ibolo dji, allah yifé oh
I yé yé yé iyé
Fouye wati lémina
Ikana makonolike boutoun
Ikana makololike boutoun
Ala yi fe ho
Issa sigui idje iboko ka sidji idje
Issa sidji hibowo
In the song Issa by Dobet Gnahoré, the lyrics are a mixture of French and her native language, Bété. The song starts by invoking a call and response between the lead singer and the background vocalists with the words "Wéha Wééha" which can be interpreted as a chant to catch the attention of the spirits. The verses that follow comprise of lyrics that speak about Issa, a person who seems to be a healer or someone with special powers. He is said to possess certain abilities that make him stand out from others. The lines "Ikana djouya idjéréla, Idissé kafra finyéla" suggest that Issa has the ability to heal people's wounds and fix things that are broken.
The chorus of the song features the repeated phrase "Issa iye ye issa ha ha" which could be interpreted as a sign of respect or admiration for this powerful figure. The lyrics then shift to talk about Issa's abilities to communicate with nature and the spirits. In the lines "Ikani ibolo dji, allah yifé oh", the singer is suggesting that Issa has some connection with the divine that allows him to connect with the spirits and nature. The final verse of the song, "Issa sigui idje iboko ka sidji idje, Issa sidji hibowo" is a call and response that again invokes the name and powers of this strong and respected figure, Issa.
Line by Line Meaning
Wéha Wééha
The sound and rhythm of the song
Ikana djouya idjéréla
People are gathered and listening
Idissé kafra finyéla
The song represents hope
I di sé kawa taafé
It speaks of unity and togetherness
Wati tétambi habadam
Everyone is dancing together
Idissé ki tolo malo
The song brings joy and happiness
Ikana fô koui kélenle
Everyone is enjoying themselves
Alou yilassi la lonbé
Elders are nodding in approval
Anbé dissé kola
The music is playing loud and clear
Dougnaro ikanagnina
The beat is infectious
Issa iye ye issa ha ha
The singer is calling out to Issa with joy
Weka ka mouchte aboukoulouyo kamouchte
Let us dance and sing our hearts out
Ikani ibolo dji, allah yifé oh
The message of the song is a prayer to Allah
I yé yé yé iyé
Let us express our happiness with the music
Fouye wati lémina
The song inspires us to move and groove
Ikana makonolike boutoun
The rhythm is so addictive
Ikana makololike boutoun
We can't help but move to the beat
Ala yi fe ho
The happiness we feel is overwhelming
Issa sigui idje iboko ka sidji idje
Issa is here to join us and dance to the music
Issa sidji hibowo
Issa is a symbol of hope and happiness
Contributed by Amelia A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@eSKAnciadora
don't be so hard on yourself
you can stop seeing black
you can still take a step towards the light
a single step that changes everything
it's never too late
stop not hearing anything
you can still listen
don't say that you are alone
your parents do everything to reason with you
they advise you every day
you prefer to profit from life as you hear it
without doing anything with your existence
you do nothing to be appreciated
we can all succeed in life, don't forget
don't lower your arms, God is beside you
you just have to seize the moment
don't wait any longer, the years will pass
open your eyes to see in front of you
@christopherlefebvre1922
Wéha Wééha
Ikana djouya idjéréla
Idissé kafra finyéla
I di sé kawa taafé
Wati tétambi habadam
Idissé ki tolo malo
Wéha Wééha
Ikana fô koui kélenle
Alou yilassi la lonbé
Anbé dissé kola
Dougnaro ikanagnina
Issa iye ye issa ha ha
Weka ka mouchte aboukoulouyo kamouchte
Ikani ibolo dji, allah yifé oh
I yé yé yé iyé
Fouye wati lémina
Ikana makonolike boutoun
Ikana makololike boutoun
Ala yi fe ho
Issa sigui idje iboko ka sidji idje
Issa sidji hibowo
@paparazzi_honore7029
J'ai découvert ce joli morceau grâce à l’interprétation de Josée au Castel Live Opéra 2012. Je le kiffe vraiment, on a pas besoin de faire trop de bruits ou des boucans pour parfaire un son. Très plaisant ce son... Courage Dobet Gnahoré. Je suis du 228.
@sandramanuelly242
Honore2nuka moi aussi j ai decouvrt ce son grace a linterpretation de josee tro top
@paparazzi_honore7029
Joli son n'est-ce pas? Même si je ne comprend pas le message véhiculé, je le kiffe. Merci sandra manuelly
@paparazzi_honore7029
sandra manuelly ok, merci
@Benimages17
A chaque liberté de tes syllabes fredonnées, je ne cesse de rêver !! Moi qui ne fait que douter ici-bas, sans toi...Dobet Gnahoré, je t'aime !
@killianrypolin777
c'est grâce à victoire que je découvre cette magnifique chanson de dobet ghanore!!😍😍
@wilfriedembongo2385
JE SUIS GABONAIS ET JE DÉCOUVRE A PEINE L'ARTISTE QUE TU ES ET VRAIMENT C'EST UN RÉGALE D'ÉCOUTER TON RÉPERTOIRE .MERCI A VOUS DE TOUJOURS PROMOUVOIR LA RICHESSE CULTURELLE DE NOTRE CONTINENT.
@mboumbmwanemombo4791
Merveilleuse musique, je l'écoute depuis 4 ans.
@user-xy5qr7zf9s
My Favoriten. I don' t understand a Word- but that doesn't matter. There is so much strenght, passion and sadness...
@christianatchori2792
j'adorrrrrrrr vraiment tu fais la fierté de nous les ivoiriens big up a toi et continu comme ca