Donaba, the Malinke word for ‘Great (female) Dancer’ is a very ancient Dunumba-rhythm . The song is from more recent date (about 1950), it is in honour of a great dancer living those days in the village were Famoudou Konaté was born. Her name was Mariama Gbe and she invented sometimes new dances and had ‘Donaba’ as a nickname.
E donabao, e deni dana baradon kourala bo e
He, Donaba, come out with a new dance for us!