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Fely Tchaco
By Sumedha Manabarana
The Background
Africa was once occupied by Europeans. Côte d'Ivoire, where the
singer originally hails from, is one of the 53 countries of Africa. It is
also known as Ivory Coast. (Please read my Scribd article Countries of
Africa ‐ Part I with an interactive map of African countries for more
details.)
According to historians, the earliest recorded French voyage to West
Africa took place in 1483. European slave and merchant ships started
roaming the continent. An 1843–1844 treaty made Côte d'Ivoire a
protectorate of France. Eventually, in 1893, Côte d'Ivoire became a
French colony. Due to European invasion, it suffered exploitation and
slave trade. Côte d'Ivoire became independent on 7 August 1960.
However, the misery seems to continue, cries the inspirational singer
Fely Tchaco.
Note : A protectorate is a country or an area which maintains a relationship
with a strong sovereign nation. Once a strong nation has established a
protectorate over a weak nation, it can control the latter's affairs.)
• This article contains the original lyrics and the English translation of the
melodious African song ‘Afrique Bou le Wou’ (Cry of Mother Africa) by
Fely Tchaco the Cote d’ivoirean singer. The song was originally written in
Gouro language, the language of Cote d’voire.
Afrique Bou le Wou (Gouro language from Cote d’ivoire)
Pleures de la Mere Afrique (French)
Cry of Mother Africa (English)
‘Afrique Bou le Wou’
1. Gnimen le en djinin Colon nou si zia, ye wo pa wova oh
2. De bin da miti fla, wo gnana nuale o, wo fon nuan y’able, wo yi nuale,
3. Fa ye w’ a zouho laman
4. Wo pa Colon va be, Colon ca wo dole lo
5. Wo do dicli, ton ye wo wo fla sah
6. Min’en le wovo, wovo zi zouo
7. Tche’o Ku vu gnanatchi ku va pla, Ye glui wuila oh
8. ye d’en ya gnanatchi ga le wou le m’a man
9. enze nin nou e loro le wouvoa pla
10.Min’en le, wovo, wovo zizouo
11.Min men ye, Afrique le nin le wou le m’avoua
12.Min’en le wo, vo, wovo zizouo
13.min men ye, Sida, Ebola, Glui e wo bovoua?
14.Min’en le wo vo, wovo zi zouo
15.Ca wui ye mi, ca wui ye mi?
16.Ca wui ye mi, zimou ca wui ye mi?
17.Min’en le wo vo, wovo zi zouo
18.Min men ye, Afrique le nin le wou le we beh o
19.Min’en le wo vo, wo vo zi zouo
20.Min men ye, Sida Ebola Glui ya wo djena
21.Min’en le wo vo, wovo zi zouo
22.woda Sida yan, Colera yan, Tuberculose, Ulcere de Burili
23.ca wui ye mi en bou Micheline si enzi
24.colonization c’est Dieu qui va vous juger
25.min’en le wo vo wovo zi zouo
26.min men le, Afrique le nin le wou le m’a man
27.min’en le wo vo wovo zi zouo
28.min men ye Sida Ebola, Glui e wo sana
29.min’en le wo vo wovo zi zouo
30.be fe non? Afrique le nin le wo le m’a voua
31.min’en le wo vo, wo vo zi zouo
32.min men ye Sida Ebola, Glui e wo bovoua
33.min’en le wo vo wo vo zi zouo
34.min men ye Afrique le nin le dje le wou le we
35.min’en le wo vo wo vo zi zouo
36.be fe non? ca bou le nin le wou le we beh o
37.min’en le wo vo wo vo zi zouo
© 2003 Leye. Felicite Tchaco (Fely)
Cry of Mother Africa
38.Once upon a time, my children hosted settlers and they helped them
39.When a stranger visits my father’s land, they are given a seat, they are
given water and they are fed
40.Before anyone asks where they have come from
41.They helped the Colonizers for the longest time. The Colonizers never
acknowledged them
42.They stood still while they wiped out my father’s lands
43.Why are they last? Why were they left behind?
44.Today, sitting without any warning
45.War has broke out
46.Every time I sit down all I hear is the cry of death, my children are crying
of hunger
47.Why are they last? Why were they left behind?
48.“Why is it that I cry?” I am crying for the children of Africa
49.Why are they last? Why were they left behind?
50.Why is it that AIDS, Ebola, and War thank them?
51.Why are they last? Why were they left behind?
52.Can you see; can you see?
53.Can you see, people can you see?
54.Why are they last? Why were they left behind?
55.Why is it that I am hearing the cries of the children of Africa?
56.Why are they last? Why were they left behind?
57.Why is it that AIDS, Ebola, and war are killing them?
58.Why are they last? Why were they left behind?
59.There is AIDS, Cholera, Tuberculoses, Ulcer of Burili
60.People do you see? My mother, Micheline, left me
61.Colonization, it is God that will judge you
62.Why are they last? Why were they left behind?
63.Why is it that I hear the cries of the children of Africa?
64.Why are they last? Why were they left behind?
65.Why is it that AIDS, Ebola and war are wiping them out?
66.Why are they last? Why were they left behind?
67.“What are you saying?” I am crying for the children of Africa
68.Why are they last? Why were they left behind?
69.Why are AIDS, Ebola and war thanking them?
70.Why are they last? Why were they left behind?
71.Why is it that I am hearing the death of the children of Africa?
72.Why are they last? Why were they left behind?
73.“What are you saying?” It is the cry of mother Africa that you hear!
74.Why are they last? Why were they left behind?
© 2003 Tchaco Leye. Felicite
I thank you Fely Tchaco for giving me permission to publish the original lyrics of your enchanting
song which I consider an eye‐opener to the people concerned.