Balerebié de Tiébélé Women's Group - A kune yele Maa tinlonge (Celebrate your Mother well)

Shot in the winter of 2024.
Video/sound - Dimitris Athanasopoulos
The "Ballerebie de Tiebele women's group" or otherwise mentioned as "Troupe Balerebié de Tiébélé" or "Giringo Balilingo women" is a women singing and percussion culture group based in the very south of Burkina Faso, right next to the borders with Ghana. They are part of the Frafra/fare fare/ Gurune people inhabiting both sides of the borders. Leaded by the great singer Sia Douko, they maintain their ancestral music and singing traditions, while also singing original songs about contemporary matters. They use percussion instruments on their hands and feet, made out of different materials such as wood, metal, cloth and calabashes.
The meaning of this song, as explained to me, has to do with "celebrating your mother well". Funerals is an important part of Frafra culture and this song explains that when your mother dies, you have to celebrate her well, like a god. Let her rest in peace. The text repeated "A kune yele Maa tinlonge", means "the death has seen the woman and infected her". It has happened to other people and now is her turn. Then the lead singer goes on mentioning names, probably of her family or ancestors that have passed away. This is a typical song structure for Frafra music.
Members of the group (as mentioned on their CD)
Lead vocal - SIA Douko
Members - OUENA Agnoguim, SIA Abina, IMBGA Tampoaka, ADIGA Zoupoaka, ADOUKO Pansiba, GNIBGA Zoure, SIA Bampaka, KAYSSE Gnongo, IMBGA Awobire, GNEBGA Doupoaka Feli, SIA Akoudougou
Contact numbers - 00226 - 70 53 13 61
00226 - 76 50 51 00
00226 - 69 15 75 79
You can also contact me for any help in the communication or other info
[e-mail]

[@chemagracia]

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