It is common knowledge that a lot of countries in sub-Saharan Africa have experienced wars and political unrest since they gained independence in the early 1960s. Despite all the negative connotations that are synonymous with war, it appears that for some countries war and music share an intricate relationship. In countries like the DRC and Ivory Coast, political unrest has contributed to the popularity of innovative musical styles and dances such as the ‘N’dombolo’, the ‘Zouglou’ and the ‘Coupe-Decale.’ Artists seem to have restructured these musical styles to express the local population's desire for peace and its exasperation in the face of the deteriorating political situation. Rather than evoking the grief and struggle of life in a war zone, these musical trends exhibit frenzied rhythms and occasionally comical and satirical lyrics.
Although peace has returned to many of these countries, the music lives on. This project will analyze these musical trends and attempt to estimate their impacts on the conflict resolution process in these communities. It will also attempt to evaluate the importance of this music to the civilian population as an instrument to confront state conflicts. In order to achieve this, I will interview popular artists and precursors of each genre from Ivory Coast and neighboring countries, so as to understand the individual motivations behind their lyrics. Furthermore, individuals from universities, influential cultural institutions, non-governmental organizations and other councils, will be asked to share their opinions on this music and its impacts within the socio-economic and political contexts of their countries.
This project will be divided into 3 phases that will stretch over the course of 6 – 8 months. The first phase will consist of information-gathering and preparation. I will undertake coursework under the guidance of my faculty advisor to prime me in the methods of social research. I will also simultaneously attempt to build contacts in the targeted locations. In the pursuit of honest and genuine accounts from individuals affected by the music and the conflicts alike, the second phase of this project will be conducted in the field. Tentatively, it can be assumed that field research conducted in Africa will take place primarily in Ivory Coast, while research conducted in Europe (where most artists reside) will occur in France, the UK and Belgium. The project will culminate in a third phase where I will document and analyze my findings, and present them in the form of a piece of written work. Ideally, the research could be used in schools and other educational settings in Africa and Canada to lead or enrich a discussion on the relationship between music, peace and conflict.
Ivorian culture is rich in wisdom and humour. I believe that it is this trait that has allowed Ivorian music to strive and become so influential in times of civil unrest. I recently came across a list of interesting “nouchi” (popular Ivorian slang) proverbs on Mariette Yao’s blog. I took the liberty of translating them in English for your enjoyment. Here is my list. All credits go to Yao Mariette at http://letrangere.mondoblog.org/. 1.C’est l’homme on connait pas on appelle Hé / You only say "hey" to call a person you don't know Meaning: Appearances can be deceiving 2.Petit marteau casse gros cailloux/ A small hammer can break a big rock Meaning: Strength is not dependent on size 3.Caca ne blesse pas mais quand tu marches dedans tu boites/ You'll walk with a limp after stepping in shit, even though you aren’t technically hurt. Meaning: Certain things have unintended consequences 4.Piment brûle mais asticot vit dedans / Even though peppers are hot, ticks can still survive in them Meaning: You must learn to adapt to your environment, even if it is hostile 5.Si tu n’as pas peur tu n’as pas le courage/ If you're not afraid, you're not courageous. Meaning: Unless you've known fear, you cannot gain courage 6.Poisson vit dans l’eau mais on peut le noyer/ You can still drown a fish, even though it lives in water Meaning: There is always a smarter/stronger person around 7.Si tu te comportes comme un crabe tu sera mangé avec bruit/ If you act like a crab, they will eat you noisily. Meaning: You will reap what you sow 8.C’est l’homme qui a peur sinon coco taillé peut faire mèches/ It is only fear that is stopping a bald man from braiding his hair. Meaning: Our doubts stop us from reaching our full potential 9.Moustique n’aime pas amusement où on applaudi /Mosquitoes don't like to play that clapping game Meaning: You must be afraid of the things that can kill you 10.Nous tous on connait Jésus mais il n’est pas encore descendu pour donner agouti a quelqu’un./ We all know Jesus Christ but He has yet to literally come down to feed to any of us. Meaning: You must fight to earn your keep 11.Souris même saoulé connait carrefour de chat/ Even a drunk mouse knows where the cat lives Meaning: We need to know our limits 12.C’est dans ma bouche que tu veux manger ton piment/ You're trying to eat your pepper in my mouth Meaning: You're trying to push me to gossip 13.Même si le lion a maigri le singe ne peut pas porter son body / Even though the lion has lost some weight, the monkey cannot fit in his clothes Meaning: No matter what, a master remains a master 14.Ce qui peut t’avaler ne le laisse pas te laper / If something can swallow you, don't let it lick you. Meaning: Don't upset those who are stronger than you are
Zouglou is a musical style that emerged from Ivory Coast in the 1990s in the context of political
liberalization, [...] and served as a platform for criticism of prevailing social and political conditions (Schumann, 2009). It is characterized by its humorous and satirical style and its use of nouchi, a popular Ivorian slang spoken on the streets of Abidjan. Over the years, Zouglou artists have denounced multiple problems in Ivorian society ranging from promiscuousness to politics.
1er Gaou is a song released in 1999 by the famous Ivorian group Magic System. It has gone on to top several international charts and has propulsed Magic System to international superstardom. The song tells the story of a young man and his relationship woes with his girlfriend Antou. I have translated the lyrics for your enjoyment. I hope you enjoy the song as much as I do. À consommer sans modération!
C'est dans ma galère que la go
Antou m'a quitté oh ah
{x4}
I was broke when my girl “Antou” left me (oh ah) (x4)
Quand j'avais un peu
Matin midi soir
On été ensemble
A la rue Princesse
Aux mille maquis
Santos payait les poulets
L'argent est fini
Antou a changé de côté
Wari ban nan
Elle a changé de copain When I had a little bit (of money) Day in, day out we'd be together at the “Rue Princesse” (Very busy nightlife district in Abidjan) at the Mille Maquis (popular bar) with my buddy Santos buying chicken. As soon as the money was finished Antou switched sides Wari Ban Nan (Phrase in ivorian dialect meaning “She went for another guy”) She switched boyfriends
Nan guin nan wan, nan guin nan wan
Nan guin nan wan, nan guin nan wan
nan Guin Nan Wan, Nan Guin Nan Wan (Ivorian Dialect meaning “She's crazy”) nan Guin Nan Wan, Nan Guin Nan Wan
Dieu merci pour moi je savais chanter un peu
J'ai fait ma cassette oh on me voit à la télé
Matin midi soir c'est moi je chante à la radio
Antou a vu çà elle dit le gaou a percé
Attends je vais partir le couper
Thank God I knew how to sing (a little bit) I released a tape and all of a sudden I'm on TV Everyday you hear me on the radio Antou saw this and told herself “Look that sucker made it” “Wait, let's go break him”
{Refrain:}
Et on dit premier gaou n'est pas gaou oh
C'est deuxième gaou qui est niata oh ah
Et on dit premier gaou n'est pas gaou oh
C'est deuxième gaou qui est niata oh ah
{Chorus} But they say that if you've been fooled once you're not really a fool It's when you've been fooled twice that you're a complete idiot And they say that if you've been fooled once you're not really a fool It's when you've been fooled twice that you're a complete idiot (i.e fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me)
Dimanche matin koko on frappe à ma porte
A ma grande surprise c'est la go Antou je vois
On s embrasse j'ai dit y'a longtemps qu'on c'est plus revu
Elle veut me mentir Elle dit chéri j'avais voyagé
Je suis de retour
Je t'appartiens
Prends-moi cadeau, fais ce que tu veux
One day as I was leaving, “knock knock” someone was at my door To my surprise I see my (ex) girl Antou I feigned surprise and I said “It's been a while since we've seen each other” She tries to lie to me and says she was out of the country Now she's back, and tells me that she's mine She's my gift, and I can do with her as I please.
{au Refrain}
{Chorus}
J'ai dit chéri koko qu'est ce que tu veux manger
Sans même hésiter Elle me dit poulet braisé
So I said, “honey (darling) what would you like to eat?” Without the slightest hesitation she says “Grilled Chicken”
J'ai dit chéri koko c'est poulet tu veux manger
Poulet est trop petit çà peut pas te rassasier
C'est caïman braisé, je vais te donner
Kedjenou d'éléphant, tu vas manger
I said, “Honey, is it really chicken that you want? You know chickens are too small, they can't possibly satisfy your greed. I think you really need a grilled crocodile instead. I can also give you some Elephant Kedjenou (Ivorian meat sauce) if you wish”
Nan guin nan wan, nan guin nan wan
Elle est fâché Elle dit elle s'en va à la maison
Si elle va à la maison population va me tuer
Je lui ai demandé pardon, elle a accepté
A un moment donné, elle a tout gâté
Elle est quitté dans poulet, elle s'en va dans aloco
Si c'est aloco c'est pas compliqué
C'est plantation de bananes
Tu vas griller
Au lieu de fourchette,
Ca peut pas bien piquer
C'est avec râteau, tu vas manger
She got upset and said she's going home, If she goes home, she'd kill me with her gossip I asked her to forgive me, and she said ok Later on, she ruined everything She changed her mind and went from chicken to Alloco (fried plantain) Then I said getting it's not complicated to get Alloco at all, All you need to do is fry (grill) a plantain plantation Also, I can't give you a forkto use because that can't pick anything Instead I'll give you a rake because it's more effective.
Nan guin nan wan, nan guin nan wan
Nan guin nan wan, nan guin nan wan
My name is Juste Fanou and I am an engineering technology student at McMaster University. With the generous support of Drs. Jolie Ringash and Glen Bandiera and their Renaissance Award, I was recently blessed with the opportunity to engage in an experiential learning journey that is set to begin in September 2014. I have devised a project, which I am hoping will shed some light on the relationship between music and political conflicts in Ivory Coast. Even though, I know close to nothing about sociology, anthropology or political science, I expect that my affinity for Ivorian music and the mentorship of my faculty advisor (Prof Andrew Gilbert) will arm me with the necessary skills to bring this project to completion. This Renaissance adventure will take me across three continents where I am expecting to meet with artists, scholars as well as fellow music lovers to understand the impact of Zouglou and Coupé Décalé on the course of the Ivorian civil wars.
This blog will serve as an outlet and journal to document my experiences. I will be posting all kinds of interesting things on here, so be sure to check it regularly. =) I am extremely excited about this opportunity, yet also completely terrified. This is definitely going to be challenging, and I hope that I am up to the task. However, like Ivorian people say: “Y a rien! C’est l’homme qui a peur!” (Translated: There is no problem, except for the fear of man).
