In 1989, at age 22, Bona moved to Paris and soon began working with such leading French musicians as violinist Didier Lockwood and bassist Marc Ducret as well as such African stars as Manu Dibango and Salif Keita. During his seven years in Paris, Richard refined his writing skills while further immersing himself in the music of jazz greats like Miles Davis, Chet Baker and Ben Webster.
Since arriving in New York in 1995, bassist-vocalist-composer Richard Bona has been one of the most sought-after talents on the scene.
Bisso Baba
Richard Bona Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sona muna miango
Éta ndé bunya bo
Sona muna na sango
Tétè loba moin
A bodi babo missima
Ndé jé éta bobé
Étuma londo mimbu
chorus:
ndé mba né pon na wa
miango mi titi pé＾o mboa
ndé mba né pon na wa
na mala mwemba na wa
o longè bisso baba
mwémba
iyèyè yè i yèyè yè
iyèyè yè
munia mwa nyangwa wuba
mwe ndé munia mwa dibongo
kwan ndé＾ëwani péna
péna natèna o koba
lo sèn tolambo wènguè
lo mèndè sénga miango
ina o a bonayuma lo séngui pon
chorus:
ndé mba né pon na wa
miango mi titi pè＾o mboa
nd mba né pon na
wa
na mala mwémba na wa
o longè bisso baba
mwémba
iyèyè yè i yèyè yè
iyèyè yè
tétè mon'a so dibénga
mambo
di yaka na manyolo lé ndé ndolo
mambo
ben béjédi ba mwen＾ékombo mba
mambo
bé méndé léyé bisso lambo
(scat)
Tétè mbana so dibénga
di yaka na manyolo léndé ndolo mo
yakataka
o bi na né na oa
Mangolo o mbènguè ésè lambo
Diwondi la mukala mbengué
Di wa di timba
Di si wana lambo
The song Bisso Baba by Richard Bona is a beautiful composition in the Duala language of Cameroon. The song starts with the phrase "Éta ndé bunya bo Sona muna miango" which translates to "This is where my heart belongs, my love." These words suggest a deep sense of belonging to a place or a person. This is followed by "Éta ndé bunya bo Sona muna na sango" which means "This is where I belong, my roots." These lines emphasize the importance of roots and heritage in shaping one's identity.
The song continues with "Tétè loba moin A bodi babo missima Nde jé éta bobé Etuma londo mimbu" which is an expression of gratitude for everything the mother has done for her child. This part of the song is a tribute to the mother, who is considered the most important figure in African culture.
The chorus "ndé mba né pon na wa miango mi titi pé o mboa ndé mba né pon na wa na mala mwemba na wa o longè bisso baba mwemba" means "This is where I belong, my love, in this world and forever. This is where I belong, my roots. Oh, powerful ancestors." The use of the term "mwemba" or ancestors is an acknowledgment of the importance of the past, the present, and the future.
Overall, Bisso Baba is a song that celebrates the rich heritage and culture of Cameroon. It is a tribute to the mother, the roots, and the ancestors who have played an important role in shaping the identity of the people.
Line by Line Meaning
Éta ndé bunya bo
I am carrying a burden
Sona muna miango
My soul is weary
Éta ndé bunya bo
I am carrying a burden
Sona muna na sango
My heart is heavy
Tétè loba moin
I cling on to hope
A bodi babo missima
In spite of the challenges I face
Ndé jé éta bobé
I cannot leave my burden
Étuma londo mimbu
My strength is failing
ndé mba né pon na wa
It's time for me to return home
miango mi titi pé＾o mboa
My soul wanders in this foreign land
na mala mwemba na wa
I will be greeted by my ancestors when I return
o longè bisso baba
The great ancestors are calling me home
mwémba
I am going home
munia mwa nyangwa wuba
The world is full of challenges
mwe ndé munia mwa dibongo
This is the world that we live in
kwan ndé＾ëwani péna
No matter how far we wander
péna natèna o koba
We should always remember our roots
lo sèn tolambo wènguè
We must stay strong in the face of adversity
lo mèndè sénga miango
We must keep our soul from being weary
ina o a bonayuma lo séngui pon
We will be rewarded for our resilience
tétè mon'a so dibénga
I still have hope in my heart
mambo
I am dancing
di yaka na manyolo lé ndé ndolo
My spirit is lifted and my heart is happy
ben béjédi ba mwen＾ékombo mba
I am surrounded by my loved ones
bé méndé léyé bisso lambo
My ancestors are with me
iyèyè yè i yèyè yè
iyèyè yè
Tétè mbana so dibénga
I still have faith in my heart
yakataka
o bi na né na oa
Mangolo o mbènguè ésè lambo
The drumbeat of my ancestors is calling me
Diwondi la mukala mbengué
The spirits of my ancestors are here
Di wa di timba
They are saying come home
Di si wana lambo
The ancestors are calling
Contributed by London P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
George Nyavor
on Dunia E
omg!!! I have been looking for the meaning of this masterpiece that hits my spirits so hard and yet so comforting. Thanks Nathaniel for what you are doing. i am a Ghanaian and since I discovered Richard Bona, he assumed some sort of revered status in my mind. The guy is good and talented! Thanks so much for bringing the meaning of Suninga too. I wish I can pay you cos at some I linked up with a few friends from Cameroon. They didn't help much since they said the language of the song is not what they speak. I am grateful for this.
Nguebeh Collyn
on Souleymane
Mulema is a name
Yeikete is another name and means something unknown or undefined
They talk about us but we don't know what they're saying
It's a secret language that they're using
They talk about us but we can feel the energy of the gossip
We are not part of their discussion
There is a lot of drama and intrigue surrounding us
We try to stay grounded and not let their gossip affect us
We are caught in the middle of something we don't fully understand
We are not part of their conversation
We are surrounded by people who talk about us, and it makes us feel uncomfortable
We feel small and insignificant in the face of their gossip
Their gossip is like a snake that creeps up on us from behind
We feel helpless and vulnerable to their criticism
Mulema is still a part of this gossip
Yeikete is still here too
They are still talking about us
Their secret language still leaves us in the dark
We are still trying to absorb their negative energy
We still don't really know what they're saying
The drama and intrigue still surround us
We are still trying to stay grounded
We are still in the middle of something that is confusing and uncomfortable
Their conversation is about to come to an end
There is an interruption in their conversation
Someone is trying to change the subject or end the conversation
A car comes to a screeching halt nearby
The conversation comes to a complete stop
Someone interrupts to ask who we are
Our name is Souleymane, and we introduce ourselves
We repeat our name to make sure they understand
We are still part of this discussion but now we're taking control of the conversation
We are no longer in the dark about what they're talking about
We repeat our name with confidence
We are proud of who we are, even though others might not understand us
We are the ones who decide what we want to say
Our words are like flames that cannot be extinguished
We speak with authority and power
Our words echo like the beating of a drum
We are still part of this conversation, but now we are leading it
We know what they're saying, and we're not afraid
We are using our words to bring people together
Our words are a call to action
Our words are fierce and powerful
We are inspiring others to find their own voice
Our name is Souleymane, and we are taking control of this conversation
We are confident and empowered
We are no longer just part of this conversation, but leading it
We are no longer in the dark about what they're saying
We are unafraid and proud of who we are
We are taking control and making our voices heard
We are leading this conversation with power and authority
We have taken control of this conversation and will not be silenced
We are proud of who we are and will never be silenced
We are unafraid to speak up and make our voices heard
We are the ones who control the conversation now
We are the ones who will be remembered, not those who gossip about us
Our words have power and will inspire others to speak up too
Claudio
on Invocation
Lyric of Invocation is wrong. The lyric is from other song called "Dina Lam" and is the chorus of that song, from 2'47''. You can see that.