IKO IKO - meaning of the real words and their origin

Revealed at last. For fifty years people have puzzled over the strange words of the chorus of the hit song Iko-Iko. Here are the original lyrics, who composed them and the language used.

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• iko iko
• Iko Iko Cindy Lauper
• Iko Iko Dr John
• Original lyrics
• Jocomo - Jackomo
• New Orleans
• Mardi Gras
• Louisiana
• Native Americans
• Creoles
• Black Indians
• Iko Iko Grateful Dead
• Iko Iko Belle Starrs

[McBad48]

what is that african/creole beat you played?

[iancully1]

@McBad48 I can't remember now. I know it's a royalty free bit of music off the internet. Originally, the music background was much better because I'd included Sugar Boy's original recording, the Dixie Cup's revival and finally probaby the best version of all - Dr John. Unfortunately, You Tube wouldn't allow the songs because of copyright. So I had to replace all those great versions of Iko with bland royalty free music.

[creolecandy73]

The Creoles have not left New Orleans forever...? My entire family and most of my Creole friends are still there. Please correct that false statement. Thank you for your interest.

[iancully1]

@creolecandy73 You're quite right Creolecandy. Since I made the video I have learned there are still quite a few Creoles in New Orleans city. However, very few seem to speak fluent Creole anymore. Do you and your friends speak it fluently?

[hwiseman1]

There is NO language called "Indian"

[Tinymoezzy]

@monstertomonster amen, i speak Salish not Indian lol.

Very good video, and a wonderful foot in the door on culture for those just starting to peek interest.

Preservation is key

[debbitt]

Thank you !

[IyaMagba]

I am certain that your translation is correct but I would like to add my two cents.The word "Iko"in Yoruba means to build.The "an nah" translates to Ina ( pronounced Enah);and the phase "jocomo" translates to joko mo which means "I sit". The phase "...fee na dey " translates to finna na 'na 'ye which roughly means "...stroking the flame of life".In my humble opinion this is a conjure song-two Great Mothers "working"by the fire.Please anyone, if you are fluent in Yoruba translate this song.

[Msprimcessmonster]

Wikipedia isn`t a correct website anyone can go and change the information.. im not saying it wrong but you should go and check your research

[JerryBearElPaso]

I wrote above the true meaning of Iko Iko. It is all in Creole and has no Indian language in it. louisiana Creole is a beautiful simple language similar to Hatian Creole but it is unfortunately dying out with mainly elderly speakers nowadays. Standard French has 3000 different irregular verb forms, Creole has none! I hope young people who ancestors spoke creole will feel motivated to preserve this heritage. Compared to Standard French it is a lot easier to learn.

[JerryBearElPaso]

@JerryBearElPaso Mardi Gras was often a time for settling old scores and That is roughly what the words of Iko Iko are about. It was a warning to bystanders that they should keep out of the way because the singers were bent on revenge. Even after the words were no longer understood, it was remembered that it indicated you were deadly serious. Later, the Mardi Gras Indians and others agreed not to pursue violence in the Mardi Gras celebrations and compete by dance only.

[JerryBearElPaso]

@JerryBearElPaso "Tue Pacue" appears in some old songs. the Mardi Gras Indians originated in Bambara African people in Louisiana. They were a trouble making mutinous lot who several times planned toally with some of the local Indian tribes and planned to conquer New Orleans for themselves, This didnt happen but they maintained a sense of respect for their allies and thus the name "Mardi Gras Indians". They still retain significant African customs.

[JerryBearElPaso]

@JerryBearElPaso The phrase Iko Iko is believed to be of West African origin. The "Mardi Gras Indians" were of Bambara origin and held on to their language for a long time. It means "pay attention" and "Iko iko an de" means "Pay attention to this!".

This was followed with the rest already mentioned. Often they would add "Tue Pa cue!' means "kill you if you dont get out of the way!" Listeners would often respond "Otende!" means "I understand!"

[JerryBearElPaso]

I spent many weeks searching the internet and finally found a native speaker of Louisiana Creole who knew the original words and their meaning. The refrain translated here is simply wrong! It is in fact all in Creole, "Jacomo" refers to the Mardi Gras court system Joker. The words "Jacomo feel o an den de" means: "the Joker we do not play today" "Jacomo fee nanai" means "The Joker is finished". This indicated that the chanters were deadly serious and not playing around.

[ValyTraveler]

very nice - I wished the song played behind the video...

[bluescentric]

@creolecandy73 I'm with Candy. That was a very weird statement to mane, really. Where would they go?