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.
Na Mala Nde
Richard Bona Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Na bwa muñègè ñola mabola mén'obodi nô
Na wôdi wasa njom'a lambo di bodi wénô wala
Na timbi sô na bona songo ndé bé njôm'a lambo
Na mala ndé, na mala ndé, lon lon lon
Na'a bè na môngèlè (o sin'a bôlô ?) minya ma kwan
O nini wèngè minya ma bwam mô mi tombi pasa
Ndé wala bwam di ma loméa wa masoma
Na mala ndé, na mala ndé, lon lon lon
Na mala ndé, na mala ndé, lon lon lon
Na mala ndé, na mala ndé, lon lon lon
Na mala ndé, na mala ndé...
Na'a bè na môngèlè (o sin'a bôlô ?) minya ma kwan
O langwa myango ména mita ndé ma mbalè
O nini wèngè minya ma bwam mô mi tombi pasa
Wala bwam di ma loméa wa masoma
Na mala ndé, na mala ndé, lon lon lon
Na mala ndé, na mala ndé, lon lon lon
Na mala ndé, na mala ndé, lon lon lon
Na bè na mongèlè, na bè na mongèlè, (...)
Na mala ndé, na mala ndé, lon lon lon
The song "Na Mala Nde" by Richard Bona is sung in Duala, a Bantu tribe in Cameroon. The lyrics are poetic and deep, speaking about the struggles and suffering of life. The first verse talks about physical illness and emotional pain, with the singer feeling trapped in their own body. The second verse speaks about the pain of separation and longing, with the singer expressing their desire to be reunited with someone they love. The chorus, "na mala ndé," which means "in this life," is repeated throughout the song, emphasizing the message that all the suffering and pain happens in this life, and we must make the most of it.
The song has a melancholic and soulful vibe with elements of African and jazz music. It is a powerful reflection on the human condition, touching on themes of love, loss, suffering, and hope. The lyrics are emotional and moving, with the singer's voice conveying a sense of vulnerability and authenticity. The repetition of the chorus adds to the song's poignancy, reminding the listener that all of the emotions and experiences expressed in the song are a part of the human experience.
Line by Line Meaning
Wala lôngô mô na séngi ndutu na bwa maladi
I am sitting here in sadness and pain, feeling helpless and weak
Na bwa muñègè ñola mabola mén'obodi nô
I am yearning for the love that was once there, but now seems to have disappeared
Na wôdi wasa njom'a lambo di bodi wénô wala
I am searching for the light that will guide me out of this darkness
Na timbi sô na bona songo ndé bé njôm'a lambo
I am wandering alone, hoping to find my way back to where I belong
Na mala ndé, na mala ndé, lon lon lon
It is a bad time, a bad time, oh oh oh
Na'a bè na môngèlè (o sin'a bôlô ?) minya ma kwan
I am thinking about what went wrong, trying to understand why things turned out the way they did
O langwa myango ména mita ndé ma mbalè
I feel like I am losing the people I love, and it hurts me deeply
O nini wèngè minya ma bwam mô mi tombi pasa
I am afraid that I am running out of time and opportunities to make things right
Ndé wala bwam di ma loméa wa masoma
And I am struggling to find the strength and courage to keep going
Na bè na mongèlè, na bè na mongèlè, (...)
I am still thinking, still trying to figure it all out
Contributed by Benjamin M. 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.