nɛ́ mí Ɗókó Rèmɔ́ɔ̀ /

It’s me Ɗoko Raymond

sà-gɛ̀nɛ̀ /

Sa-gène

ʔá̰-nàm dɛ́-mɛ́-tɔ̰̀ tòí //

I am about to tell this tale.

kàà nɛ́ tò kɔ́ Wàntò //

It’s also a tale with Wanto.

béè mɔ̀ gbíí sɔ̰́ kɔ́í zú Wàntò gbìí náà //

Nothing has never go beyond Wanto

ʔà ʔó sàɗì ʔá̰-ndɔ̀wá mɔ̀ɲà hɔ̰́gɔ̰́ gbéngbé //

For sure ! The animals all came together like that in large numbers.

wà zà̰à̰ gásá# gása kɔ̰̀ /- gásá gìwîŋ /- gìwíŋ dɛ̀ sàà kɔ́wà /- sàɗì zǎŋ-nù hɛ̰̀ ʔòé ʔèá //

They dug a big trench, a big trench, their trench to play, only for all animals on earth.

wí nɛ̀ bé ká̰# ká̰à̰ ná /- / kàà nɛ́# nɛ́ mɔ̀ tɔ̰́ / nɛ́ pɛ́r ʔó zúdùk kɔ́ Wàntò / wà ɓír kɔ́wà sɛ̀nɛ́ ná //

Those who are not part of it are, to make clear again, those from Wanto’s lineage, they do not go in,

kàà nɛ́ ʔó sàɗì fɛ́t túù ʔá̰-ndɔ̀wá mɔ̀ɲá //

it’s only all the animals, all of them, who get together.

ʔèé wà zá̰ gásá gìwîŋ /- / gìwîŋ nɛ́ gásá gbóngó /

Then they dug a big trench, the trench is a big ditch

wěn fàrá dɛ̀ sàà kɔ́wà ʔá̰ hḭ̀ḭ́ //

because that’s their playing area.

ʔó kóò kɔ́wà ʔá̰ zà̰á̰ //

Their wives dug it.

bɔ̰́ɔ̰̀ /

and

ʔá̰-ndɔ̀wá zà̰á̰# zà̰á̰ kɔ̰̀í káɗí fɛ́t túù ʔòé //

they have all entirely dug this whole

ʔèé wà# wà mɔ́í //

and [that’s where] they get together.

dám-ɗǒŋ wèsé /

Every day

ʔá̰-ndɔ̀wá tɛ́ // wà dɛ́ nɛ̀ sàà hɛ̀n tɛ́ gìwîŋí //

they come and play in this trench.

kɔ̀wà tɛ́ mɛ́-dɛ̀ sàà hḭ̀ḭ́ ʔé /

When they come to play,

wà kpɔ̰́ı̰́ kúwà hɛ̰̀ /

They remove their leg

kpɔ́k_kpɔ́k_kpɔ́k /- ʔá nù // ʔı̰̀ı̰́ kpɔ̰́ı̰́ kú pı̰́ nù // ʔı̰̀ı̰́ kpɔ̰́ı̰́ kú pı̰́ nù // ʔı̰̀ı̰́ kpɔ̰́ı̰́ kú pı̰́ nù //

One after the other down on the ground, this one removes his leg and lays it on the ground, this one removes his leg and lays it on the ground, this one removes his leg and lays it on the ground.

ʔèè sɛ́kɔ́wà kpèɗà /

and then they jump

gbóngóı̀í //

over this ditch

bɔ̰́ɔ̰̀ ʔá̰-nɛ̀ Wàntò /- kàyà ŋâs kɔ́í pɛ́r kɔ́í /

And so Wanto brought his metallic traps, his snares

nɛ́ túyá /

and goes to set

yàà-tí-wàkà //

these traps on the burnt grass

ʔá̰-nɛ̀ túí pɛ́r kɔ́í sínɛ́ sínɛ́ sínɛ́ sínɛ́ sínɛ́ //

He sets his snares as he walks, as he walks, as he walks, [going always further]

mɔ́-tɛ̀ɛ́-gbò /

as he was about to arrive [at the end],

ká zèyá kɔ̀-gɛ́r# kɔ̀-gɛ́r ʔó sàɗì tí mɛ̀ /

he can hear the animals’ voices further down the road

tɛ̀ dɛ́ɛ́ gìmà# gìmá sàà ndɔ̀wà ndɔ̀wà# kpéɗí nɛ̀ gbóngó kɔ́wà //

singing the song of the game they play by jumping over their trench

Wàntò yór kééééŋ //

Wanto freezes.

káyá pɛ́r mɔ́ ʔḭ̀ḭ́ nɛ̀ dɛ̀ɛ̀-mɛ́-tùı̌ ʔá̰ hḭ̀ḭ́ / túr nù / túr nù / ʔá kɔ́ kɔ̰̀í /

And so he picks up that snare he was about to set, covers it with earth, covers it with earth and fills up the trap hole

túr nù / ʔá kɔ́ kɔ̰̀ pɛ́rı̀í /

fills up the trap hole

ɓár pɛ́rı̀í /

rips these snares

ɓár hɛ̀n tɛ́ gbòngà mɛ̀ / pı̰́ kɔ́ zìɓò sí-ɗòŋ / kɔ́ dàɗà kɔ́ ngùm //

rips [the tie] of the strap, puts it back in his pocket, in his bag in his game-bag.

ʔèè yákáà ʔá̰ hḭ̀ḭ́ / gbó táá tɛ̀ ʔó sàɗì nɔ̀ //

Thus, he leaves and arrives where the animals are over there.

ká kpéɗáà ndɔ̀wà kpéɗí hɛ̀n tí mɛ̀í /

You should see how they jump down there

ɲɛ̀ɛ́m /

[they jump] all together

ɲɛ̀ɛ́m /

[they jump] all together

ɲɛ̀ɛ́m /

[they jump] all together

ɲɛ̀ɛ́m /

[they jump] all together

Wàntò / hɔ́ɔ́ɔ́ ʔò nɔ̀kɔ̀ /

Wanto oh ! My maternal uncles,

ʔòó mɔ̀ɔ̀ ʔám zéí náà-ndé /- / ʔɛ́nɛ́# ʔɛ́nɛ́ ɓír tɛ́ mɔ̀ hɛ̰̀ ɓɔ̀ ná wó /- / ʔèè kɛ́nɛ́ ɓɔ̀náá-dɛ̀ bɔ̀ɔ́ mɔ̀ hɛ̰́ wáà //

What is left of that thing, I thought you didn’t go there anymore, however you keep coming back.

ʔèé wà /

And they [say]

ʔó sàɗì nɔ̀ hɛ̰̀ /

These animals [say]

ʔó nɔ́kɔ́ mɔ́ ʔò //

What maternal uncles ?

ʔɛ̀ɛ̀ nɛ́ nɔ̀kɔ̀ kɔ̀mɛ̀ //

Are we your maternal uncles ?

hóóó /- ʔò nɔ̀kɔ̀ /

Oh! my maternal uncles,

ʔɛ́nɛ́ ʔíŋ"ám ɓɔ̀ nà //

you really don’t recognize me ?

ʔı̰́ı̰̀ ʔɛ́ɛ́ ʔíŋmɛ́ ɓɔ̀ ná //

No, we don’t recognize you anymore.

hó /

oh!

mɔ́ mɔ̀ hɛ̰̀ nɛ̀ ʔó nɔ́kɔ́ ɓɔ̀náá-kpèɗì ɓééé /

About this thing that you keep jumping down all the time for such a long time

ʔèè ʔám tɔ̰́ kɔ́m míì ndé / wà kpéɗí ɓɔ̀ ná wó //

I thought : they actually don’t do it anymore.

ʔèè ʔá̰-nɛ̀nɛ́ ɓɔ̀náá-kpèɗì wá // nɛ̀ ʔà mí mɔ́ bé-nàm kɔ́nɛ́ ʔá̰-nǎm gbòó // ʔàm kpánɛ́ sɛ̀nɛ́ //

But I can see that you continue to jump ah, and for sure me, your nephew, I come and find you jumping.

ʔá̰ ʔɛ̀nɛ̀ dɛ́ / hám kpéɗí mà ʔínnɛ̀ɛ́ ná-ndé //

Let me jump with you, he says.

[mɔ̀-hɔ̰́gɔ̰́ɔ̰́ ʔà̰ ʔìŋá ʔòé / mɛ̀ nɛ́ mbɔ́yá] //

[That said, he knows that it is a trick] (said by someone of the audience)

hḭ́ḭ́ḭ́ḭ́ḭ̀ //

[Yes of course] (Answer to the audience)

sá wà / wòóyèé //

But they [say] no

Wàntò /

Wanto

mɔ̀ hɛ̰̀ ndɛ̀ɛ̀ kpéɗí hɛ̰̀ ʔɛ́ɛ́ zéí mà ɲín béí hèè-ndé / bé-nàm kɛ́ɛ́ Wàntò tɛ̀ kpéɗá kɔ̰̀ hɛ̰̀ ná //

this thing where we jump, we didn’t hear the name of someone who would be our nephew Wanto to jump over this hole.

ʔɛ́ɛ́ kɔ̰́ ná // mɛ̀ yák // mɛ̀ sí yè //

We don’t want you here, go away, leave.

Wàntò / hó ʔò nɔ̀kɔ̀ dɛ́ ʔínǎm hɔ̰́gɔ̰́ ná //

Wanto [says] oh ! My maternal uncles, don’t do that to me.

ʔɛ̀nɛ̀ kpɔ̰́ı̰́ kúm / hám kpéɗí mɔ̀í ʔínnɛ̀ɛ́ //

Remove one of my legs so I can jump with you.

wà / ngbák ndé //

Really ? they ask.

ʔḭ́ḭ́ḭ́ḭ̀ //

Yes,

ngbák //

really [answers Wanto]

bɔ̰́ɔ̰̀ /

and

wà kàɗá ʔé //

all rignt, they say. (litt they, it's finished)

dɔ̀mɔ̀ /

Hare !

mɛ̀ nɛ́ mɛ̀ kpɔ̰́ı̰́ kú Wàntò //

Go and remove Wanto’s leg.

dɔ̀mɔ̀ tɛ̀ɛ̀ kpɔ̰́ı̰́ kú Wàntò pı̰́ nù hé kɔ́wà gá //

The hare comes and remove Wanto’s leg and puts it down with theirs.

bɔ̰́ɔ̰̀ /

and

wà kùmà̰séè mɔ́-kpèɗì gbóngóìí //

they start jumping over the ditch again :

zɛ́m kúr ɓíì ká zɛ́m kúr ɓíɛ̀ //

Once on one side of the ditch, once on the opposite side …

zɛ́m kúr ɓíì ká zɛ́m kúr ɓíɛ̀ //

Once on one side of the ditch, once on the opposite side …

zɛ́m kúr ɓíì ká zɛ́m kúr ɓíɛ̀ //

Once on one side of the ditch, once on the opposite side …

zɛ́m kúr ɓíì ká zɛ́m kúr ɓíɛ̀ //

Once on one side of the ditch, once on the opposite side …

zɛ́m kúr ɓíì ká zɛ́m kúr ɓíɛ̀ //

Once on one side of the ditch, once on the opposite side …

zɛ́m kúr ɓíì ká zɛ́m kúr ɓíɛ̀ //

Once on one side of the ditch, once on the opposite side …

zɛ́m kúr ɓíì ká zɛ́m kúr ɓíɛ̀ //

Once on one side of the ditch, once on the opposite side …

zɛ́m kúr ɓíì ká zɛ́m kúr ɓíɛ̀ //

Once on one side of the ditch, once on the opposite side …

zɛ́m kúr ɓíì ká zɛ́m kúr ɓíɛ̀ //

Once on one side of the ditch, once on the opposite side …

zɛ́m kúr ɓíì ká zɛ́m kúr ɓíɛ̀ //

Once on one side of the ditch, once on the opposite side …

ká# ká ngìmbì síáà kɔ́wà ɲɛ̀mà ʔè //

So it is already time for them to leave.

ngìmbò síáà kóó sàɗì ɲɛ̀mà ʔè //

It is already time for the animals to leave

wà bá kú sí kúr mɛ̀ ɲɛ̀ɛ̀m //

they take their leg and jump on the other side of the river all together.

ʔı̰̀ı̰́ bá kú /- sɔ́k ʔòwáà /

They each take their leg, put it back on

wɔ́ɔ́ŋ ʔı̰̀ı̰́ bá kú sɔ́k sɛ̀nɛ́ wɔ́ɔ́ŋ ʔı̰̀ı̰́ bá kú sɔ́k sɛ̀nɛ́ wɔ́ɔ́ŋ /

and go, they each take their leg, put it back on,they each take their leg, put it back on and go,

káí kúwà ʔòwáà ʔòé wɔ́ɔ́ŋ //

they all grab their leg back on and go.

Wàntò ɓɔ̀ná nɛ̀# ɓɔ̀ná nɛ̀ ʔòò kpɔ́k kú hɛ̰̀ //

Wanto stays, stays on the same leg

ʔèé# ʔèé Wàntò yór ɓɔ̀ ná wó //

and Wanto doesn’t stop anymore.

ʔɛ̰̀-ndɔ̀wá sìì kɔ́wà ʔé ʔá̰ kàà kɔ́ Wàntò nɛ́ kpɔ́k kpéɗáàí ndɔ̀wá sìì kɔ́wà ʔé yɛ̀ //

While they are already gone, Wanto keeps on jumping the same way as they are already gone.

ʔò# ʔò tɛ́ ʔò tɛ́-tɛ̀ bɔ̀ɔ̀ kɔ̰́ ɲìnà nɛ̀ zúgǔr Wàntò sɛ́ká yór ʔòó bé ná# bé ná //

Since they are already gone, who is going to come and rub some medecine on Wanto’s knee before he can stop ? nobody [nobody]

kàà kɔ́ Wàntò nɛ́ /

For Wanto it is always

zɛ́m kúr ɓíì zɛ́m kúr ɓíɛ̀ //

once on one side of the ditch, once on the opposite side.

zɛ́m kúr ɓíì ká zɛ́m kúr ɓíɛ̀ //

once on one side of the ditch, then once on the opposite side.

zɛ́m kúr ɓíì ká zɛ́m kúr ɓíɛ̀ //

once on one side of the ditch, then once on the opposite side.

zɛ́m kúr ɓíì ká zɛ́m kúr ɓíɛ̀ //

once on one side of the ditch, then once on the opposite side.

ká zɛ̀ dɛ̀á //

and it is night time.

Wàntò yór ná wó //

Wanto doesn’t stop

kàà nɛ́ kpéɗáà ʔá̰ hḭ̀ḭ́ nɛ̀ zɛ̀ nɛ̀ zɛ̀ nɛ̀ zɛ̀ nɛ̀ zɛ̀ nɛ̀ zɛ̀ nɛ̀ zɛ̀ // mɔ̀ sá̰ zù bùù //

And so he keeps on jumping all night long, all night long, all night long, all night long, all night long, and it is now daytime.

mɔ̀ɔ́ tɛ̀ɛ́-ɓàr // wèsé tɛ̀ɛ́-gbò hɔ̰́gɔ̰́ /

Once it is daylight and the sun is already high in the sky,

wèsé-dàŋ-gɔ̰̀ /

The morning sun (around 9 :00),

kóó sàɗì pèá ɗòŋ ɓɔ̀ /- // wààà tɛ̀mɛ́ ɓɔ̀ná hɛ̰̀ //

So the animals come back again, they say : you stayed here.

hɔ́ɔ́ɔ́ ʔéí ɓɔ̀nà wán hɛ̰̀ ná-ndé // mɔ́ ndɔ̀wá dɛ̀ɛ̀ ʔínàíɲɛ̀ //

Oh ! Of course I stayed here, he says, what you did with me here,

ʔèè ʔá̰-ndɔ̀wá yàká // wà sí ʔòéì // ʔá̰-ndèí ɓɔ̀nà wán hɛ̰̀ // ʔéí kímíí mɛ́-yòr tàkáɗì wán ná-ndé //

they left, all of them, and of course he stayed here and tried to stop, in vain, he says.

[ʔá gìmàí dìí tɛ̀í fé // ʔá̰-ndèí ɓɔ̀náá-dɛ̀í] //

[ah! He liked the song so much he kept singing it] (someone in the audience)

ʔá̰-ndèí ɓɔ̀náá# ɓɔ̀náá-yòr wán sɛ̀nɛ́ / ɓɔ̀náá-kpèɗì wánnɛ̀ ná-ndé //

And so he kept playing kept jumping of course, he says.

wà / ʔı̰́ı̰̀ ʔɛ́ɛ́ tɛ́-kpèɗì ʔɛ̰̀ ʔínmɛ̀ɛ́ ʔòí // ʔɛ́ɛ́ tɛ̀ɛ́-yàì / kɛ́ɛ́# /- kɛ́ɛ́ kɔ̰̀ɔ̰́ ɲìnà nɛ̀ zúgùrmɛ́ //

Yes, they say, we are all going to jump over it with you. When we shall be ready to leave we shall rub your knee with the medecine

kɔ́mɛ́ yàká // mɛ̀ sí yè.

and you will leave and finally you will go away.

ʔá̰-ndɔ̀wá ʔàá sɛ̀nɛ́ //

And so they start [jumping].

zɛ́m kúr ɓíì, ká zɛ́m kúr ɓíɛ̀ //

once on one side of the ditch, then once on the opposite side.

zɛ́m kúr ɓíì, ká zɛ́m kúr ɓíɛ̀

once on one side of the ditch, then once on the opposite side.

zɛ́m kúr ɓíì, ká zɛ́m kúr ɓíɛ̀

once on one side of the ditch, then once on the opposite side.

zɛ́m kúr ɓíì, ká zɛ́m kúr ɓíɛ̀ ʔèá //

once on one side of the ditch, then once on the opposite side.

ká mbóyò dɛ̀á //

So evening comes.

kóó sàɗì kàyà kú hɛ̰̀ /

The animals grab their leg

ʔá sɛ̀nɛ́ / ʔá sɛ̀nɛ́ / ʔá sɛ̀nɛ́ dámwà ʔòé // gbéyéŋ wà sí kɔ́wà //

Put it back, put it back, put it back, they all do it and finally they leave.

[Wàntò dúk hɔ̰́gɔ̰́] //

[Wanto stays like that] (said in the audience)

ʔèé Wàntò ɓɔ̀ná sɛ̀nɛ́ // kàà nɛ́ kpéɗá# // ʔéí yór ná wó //

and Wanto goes on jump/, [noticing that] he really [can’t] to stop,

kàà nɛ́ kpéɗáà // nɛ́ kpéɗáà yàrà yíítòó //

He has only been jumping, jumping for the past two days.

ʔɛ́nɛ́ zɔ̀kà béí yàrà yíítòó nɛ̀ kàm# kàm ɓír ná /

You have seen someone who for two days doesn’t eat any cassava dough,

kàm ɓír kɔ̀-nú wí ná / ʔèè ʔíŋ yór ná ʔòé //

not a single piece of cassava dough goes into his mouth and who doesn’t know how to stop.

kàà nɛ́ kpéɗá gbóngóìí zɛ́m kúr mɛ̀ //

Who only jumps over this ditch, on the opposite side over there,

kà ʔá̰ hḭ̀ḭ́ // ʔá̰ hḭ̀ḭ́ //

And that’s how it is, that’s how it is.

ʔá̰-nɛ̀ Nàá-nɔ̀mbɔ̂l gìì wán kàm nɛ̀ kpàá yàrà yíítòó ʔòóyɛ̀ /

So Naa-nombol prepared some cassava dough which by now of course is two days old.

gìì wán kàm / wéì kɔ́í nɛ̀ɛ̀ túyá pɛ́r //

She prepared some cassava dough [thinking that] her husband went to lay traps

ʔá̰-nɛ̀ ɓɔ̀ná // ʔéí gí kàm // ʔèì kíí nɛ́ Wàntò nɛ́nɛ́ // gè dɛ́ Wàntò gè ndé //

and he is still out there. She prepares some cassava dough and goes out to look for Wanto. What happens to Wanto ?

kíí nɛ̀ mɔ̀ nɛ́nɛ́ ʔèá_ʔèá_ʔèá // ʔà̰ zá̰ kìí gèɗà / tó# tó ɗùsù ʔé sɛ̀nɛ́ /

She goes out to look for him for a long time. She unearthes a cassava root, she pounds a sesame cake that she puts aside,

hɔ́r kàm /

she carves out some cassava dough

mbɔ́ɗɔ́-mɔ́ dɔ̀k ʔé sɛ̀nɛ́ /

and adds a caterpillar paste

kíí nɛ́ Wàntò nɛ́nɛ́ ʔèááá ká p# //

She looks for Wanto for a long time, and then

ʔà̰á̰ gbò# /

as she arrives

gbò hé mɛ̀ nɛ́ ndàà yé mɛ̀í gá /

so to speak at the end of this village over there,

ká̰à̰ zèyá kɔ̀-gɛ́r Wàntò //

she can hear Wanto’s voice..

ʔı̰̀ı̰́ mà béí bé ɓɔ̀ ná //

There isn’t anyone left.

mí ʔàm tɛ́-bèì ʔɛ̀nɛ́m ʔèá //

I am going to sing by myself,

mà béí bé ɓɔ̀ ná //

there isn’t anyone left.

zɛ́m kúr ɓíì //

Once on one side of the ditch.

zɛ́m kúr ɓíɛ̀ //

Once on the opposite side.

zɛ́m kúr ɓíì //

Once on one side of the ditch.

zɛ́m kúr ɓíɛ̀ //

Once on the opposite side.

zɛ́m kúr ɓíì //

Once on one side of the ditch.

zɛ́m kúr ɓíɛ̀ //

Once on the opposite side.

zɛ́m kúr ɓíì //

Once on one side of the ditch.

zɛ́m kúr ɓíɛ̀ //

Once on the opposite side.

zɛ́m kúr ɓíì //

Once on one side of the ditch.

zɛ́m- //

Once.

Nàá-nɔ̀mbɔ̂l ná / ʔó Wàntò ʔá̰-nɛ̀ híɗí mɔ̀ mɛ̀ ʔá̰ ʔɛ̰̀# /

Naa-nombol says oh! There is Wanto screaming over there. What

ʔɛ̰̀ sɔ̰́ nɛ́ gìmá gè nɛ̀ Wàntò dɛ́ // zɛ́m kúr ɓíì // zɛ́m kúr ɓíɛ̀ // nɛ́ gèé kpàá Wàntò gè ndé //

what is this song that Wanto is singing : once on one side of the ditch, once on the opposite side, what happened to Wanto ?

nɛ́ nɛ́nɛ́ gbòò táá mɛ̀ /

She walks and once she gets there

ká Wàntò ʔá̰à̰ //

Wanto is here.

Wàntò mɛ́-kpèɗì sí kúr mɛ̀ /

Wanto is trying to jump on the riverside over there,

nɛ̀ mɔ́-tɛ̀ɛ́-zìk tɛ̀ mɛ́-kpèɗì péínɛ́ / ká zɔ̀ká Nàá-nɔ̀mbɔ̂l //

Then as he was about to turn around to jump and come back, he sees Naa-nombol.

Nàá-nɔ̀mbɔ̂l /

Naa-nombol!.

wéì kɔ́mɛ́ dɛ́ bàlà ʔé wó /

Your husband has already become a slave.

ʔám dɛ́ bàlà ɲɛ́m-ná [+ laughs] /

I have really become a slave

ʔám dɛ́-mɛ́-yòr tàkáɗì wó Nàá-nɔ̀mbɔ̂l //

I can’t stop, Naa-nombol

zɛ́m kúr ɓíì // zɛ́m kúr ɓíɛ̀ // zɛ́m kúr ɓíì // zɛ́m kúr ɓíɛ̀ //

Once on one side of the ditch, once on the opposite side. Once on one side of the ditch, once on the opposite side.

nɛ̀ Nàá-nɔ̀mbɔ̂l / ʔám tɔ̰̀ɔ̰́ kàà ʔɛ̰́ Wàntò ʔówà mɛ́ dɛ́ kàá mà mɔ̀ / ɲɛ́m sɛ̀nɛ́ ná //

and Naa-nombol : of course I am used to saying it, tell-me Wanto, you have done something wrong again.

ɲín mɔ̀ mɔ́ ʔɛ̰̀ nɛ̀mɛ́ dɛ̀ɛ̀ /sɛ́kɔ́mɛ́ kpàá nɛ̀ mɔ̀ mɛ́ ʔɛ̰̀ hɛ̰̀ /

What did you do to end up in this situation ?

dáà ʔèè kɔ́mɛ́ ʔɔ̰̀kà vá̰ı̰́-vá̰ı̰́ ʔòé // ʔám tɛ́-dɛ̀ hégè //

Honey, you lost so much weight, how am I going to do ?

ʔá̰# ʔá̰# ʔá̰ Nàá-nɔ̀mbɔ̂l /

And Naa-nombɔl [says]

Wàntò / ʔà kàm ʔá̰ hɛ̰̀ // mɛ̀ yór mɛ̀ /- // Nàá-nɔ̀mbɔ̂l ʔám kpá fàrà yóráà ɓɔ̀ ná //

Wanto, for sure, I have some cassava dough, stop, st-/ Naa-nombol! I’m unable to stop,

ʔám dɛ́-mɛ́-yòl tàkáɗì //

it’s impossible for me to stop.

kàà nɛ́ zɛ́m kúr ɓíì //

Over and over : Once on one side of the ditch,

zɛ́m kúr ɓíɛ̀ //

once on the opposite side.

zɛ́m kúr ɓíì //

once on one side of the ditch

ʔówà Wàntò mɛ̀ yór // mɛ̀ ɲɔ́ŋ wán kàm hɛ̰̀ ná-ndé //

Come on, Wanto, stop and eat the cassava dough, she says.

zɛ́m kúr ɓíì Nàá-nɔ̀mbɔ̂l ʔám kpá fàrà yóráà ɓɔ̀ ná wó // zɛ́m kúr ɓíì //

once on this side of the ditch, Naa-nombol, I’m unable to stop/ Once on one side of the ditch.

zɛ́m kúr ɓíɛ̀ //

Once on the opposite side.

zɛ́m kúr ɓíì //

Once on one side of the ditch

zɛ́m kúr ɓíɛ̀ //

Once on the opposite side.

ʔówà ʔówà Wàntò ʔówà mɛ̀ yór // mɛ̀ gɔ́n kàm // mɛ̀ pı̰́ kɔ́ zàŋmɛ́ //

Come one, come on, Wanto, come on. Stop and cut a piece of cassava dough. Put in your belly.

Nàá-nɔ̀mbɔ̂l ʔám dɛ́-mɛ́-yòl tàkáɗì wá //

Naa-nombol, I can’t stop.

ʔám dɛ́-mɛ́-yòl tàkáɗì // mɛ̀ zɔ̀k / wɔ̀ gàná zǔm ʔòé //

I can’t stop. See how weak I am because I’m hungry.

ʔám dɛ́-mɛ́-yòl tàkáɗì wó //

It’s impossible for me to stop.

zɛ́m kúr ɓíì //

once on one side of the ditch

zɛ́m kúr ɓíɛ̀ //

once on the opposite side.

mɛ̀ zéí Nàá-nɔ̀mbɔ̂l //

Listen Naa-nombol :

mɛ̀ gɔ́n kààmí // mɛ̀ dɛ́ kpòóà ʔé sɛ̀nɛ́ //

Cut a piece of cassava dough. Add a little bit of the dish.

míí tɛ̀ɛ́-kpèɗì péí-ɗòŋ / kɔ́mɛ́ pı̰̀ı̰̀ hám // kɔ́m kɔ̀báı̀í // ʔàm pı̰́ kɔ̀ núm wó //

When I come back jumping, you will throw it to me. I will catch it and finally put it in my mouth.

zɛ́m kúr ɓíì // zɛ́m kúr ɓíɛ̀ /- // Nàá-nɔ̀mbɔ̂l gɔ̀ná kàm /

Once on one side of the ditch. Once on the opposite side. Naa-nombol cut a piece of cassava dough

ʔár mbɔ́ɗɔ́-mɔ́ dɔ̀k ʔé zǎŋ kàm hɛ̰̀ //

and stuffs it with caterpillar paste.

ʔà̰ há̰ mɔ́-pı̰̀ há̰ Wàntò /

When she wants to throw it to Wanto

kàm kpàyà kɔ́í nɛ̀ Wàntò / sìì tɛ́ kúr mɛ̀ /- // Wàntò zṵ̀ṵ́ hɛ̀n kúr mɛ̀ // zɛ́m kúr ɓíì /- // ʔòí mí wá Nàá-nɔ̀mbɔ̂l // kàm mɔ́ ʔı̰̀ı̰́ kpàyá nɛ̌m //

the piece of dough flies past Wanto and lands down there on the other side of the river. Wanto goes further down down on the other side. Once on one side of the ditch. Poor me! Naa-nombol, this piece of dough flew past me.

kàm mɔ́ ʔı̰̀ı̰́ kpàyá nɛ̌m / sí kɔ́l-zǔm mɛ̀ //

This piece flew past me and landed behind me over there.

Nàá-nɔ̀mbɔ̂l gɔ̀nà mbéà /

Naa-nombol cuts another piece of dough,

ʔàrà mbɔ́ɗɔ́-mɔ́ dɔ̀k ʔé sɛ̀nɛ́ //

stuffs it with some caterpillar paste.

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