Raising awareness of the need to go to a doctor as soon as symptoms occur. English translation and info below....
A collective of African musicians have come together to record a song to help raise awareness about Ebola in Africa. The song, entitled “Africa Stop Ebola”, features the singers Tiken Jah Fakoly, Amadou & Mariam, Salif Keita, Oumou Sangare, Kandia Kora, Mory Kante, Sia Tolno, Barbara Kanam and rappers Didier Awadi, Marcus (from the band Banlieuz'Arts) and Mokobe, and also includes the musicians Sékou Kouyaté (electric guitar, bass, electric kora) et Ludovic N’Holle (drums).
The song is a message to citizens about what they can do to help stop the spread of Ebola in Africa. The song is performed in French and vernacular languages widely spoken across the region to ensure that the message is understood regardless of the level of literacy and education of the population.
Thanks to Cheick Tidiane Seck for his active participation in this project.
LYRICS IN ENGLISH
Kandia Kora (Guinea / sings in French)
Africa is full of sadness
To see our families die
Do not touch the sick
Do not touch the bodies
Everyone is in danger
Young and old
We must act for our families
Chorus x 4
Ebola, Ebola
Invisible enemy
Tiken Jah Fakoly (Côte d’Ivoire / sings in French)
Ebola you are our enemy
If you feel sick the doctors will help you
I assure you, the doctors will help you
There is hope to stop Ebola
Have confidence in the doctors
Chorus x 4
Ebola, Ebola
Trust the doctors
Amadou & Mariam (Mali / sing in French)
Ebola is not good
You should see a doctor
Ebola is not good
You should see a doctor
Ebola hurts
You must see a doctor
Ebola is not good
You should see a doctor
Chorus x 4
Ebola, Ebola
Invisible enemy
Salif Keita (Mali / sings in Malinké)
Take Ebola seriously
This is a very serious disease
Once you have symptoms, please seek doctors
They can help you
Wash your hands and avoid shaking hands with others
Sia Tolno (Guinea / sings in Kissi)
Beg you, dear parents,
Follow the advice of medical authorities
Ebola came to hurt us
Respect their advices
Barbara Kanam (DRC / sings in Lingala)
Ebola you came to suffocate our people
You add pain
To the DRC
But we will overcome
Stay up
Sooner or later we will beat you
Mory Kante (Guinée / sings in Malinké and Soussou)
Get up, stand up
Ebola is a problem for us
We cannot greet someone
You cannot kiss someone
It does not mean that person makes you ashamed
It’s just a reality
Oumou Sangaré (Mali / sing in Bambara)
Ebola has become a problem for us today
I ask all the doctors in Africa to stand up
Ebola has really become a problem for us
Chorus x 4
Ebola, Ebola
Have confidence in doctors
Didier Awadi (Sénégal / sings in French)
Again we talk about tragedy
As a false note in the melody
Ebola we thought you were since abolished
You are walking around spreading disease
We will not flee from you we will not hide
Because we know we have the means to push you away
We will strike you, we are not a plague
We will get together and we will beat you
Marcus (Guinée / sings in Soussou)
Among them there are many who have access to hospitals
Those who are cured are no longer contagious
There are some who remain at home until the evil gets bigger
Oh my God
Mama Africa get up and stand united as we used to do before for other battles
Ebola you also shall be defeated
Mokobé (Mali / sings in French)
Another tragedy strikes the continent
Africa needs vaccine, medicine
Hope for them is permitted
Should we close our eyes and let them into oblivion? (not !)
Then unite for a good cause
Mobilize and break the closed doors,
Ebola I swear we will evict you
Africa needs vaccine and treatment
Ebola, Ebola
Invisible enemy
Ebola Ebola .....
Ebola, Ebola
Trust the doctors x2
