Amambanda was the Dutch entry at the Eurovision Song Contest 2006 in Athens performed by all-female trio Treble. This was the second occasion on which a song had been performed with lyrics in an invented language - Belgium having entered Sanomi by Urban Trad at the 2003 Contest.
The song is an up-tempo number, with many influences from African and flamenco music. The lyrics explain that "There is a way/To understand without a language", in keeping with the musical theme of exuberant joy in spite of an apparently insurmountable language barrier.
It was performed 17th in the semifinal following Finland and preceding Lithuania. At the close of voting, it finished in 20th place with 22 points, failing to qualify for the final.
Lyrics[]
Amambanda amambanda
Amambanda gwena mambanda
Amambanda amambanda
Gwena mamba gwena mamba
Con galapa con galapei
Con galapa con galapei
Con galapa con galapei elele
Con galapa con galapei
Con bitele con bite le leina
Con bitele con bite le leina
There is a way
To understand without a language
Don’t be afraid
There are words to find in the place you hide
Speak your mind and explain yourself today
Amambanda amambanda
Amambanda gwena mambanda
Amambanda amambanda
Gwena mamba gwena mamba
Con galapa con galapei elele
Con galapa con galapei
Con bitele con bite le leina
Con bitele con bite le leina
You’re here to stay
So move your body, everybody
There’s no shame
There are words to find in the place you hide
Know the way and trust yourself today
Amambanda amambanda
Amambanda gwena mambanda
Amambanda amambanda
Gwena mamba gwena mamba
Amambanda amambanda
Amambanda gwena mambanda
Amambanda amambanda
Gwena mamba gwena mamba
Con goelapoe lei toendaja
Con goelapoe lei toendaja
Maja gwena maja gwena
Maja gwena maja gwena
Con goelapoe lei toendaja
Con goelapoe lei toendaja
Maja gwena maja gwena
Maja gwena maja gwena
Lama coe toele toendei
Lama coe toele toendei
Maja gwena maja gwena
Maja gwena maja gwena
Con galapa con galapei
Con galapa con galapei
Con galapa con galapei elele
Con galapa con galapei
Amambanda amambanda
Amambanda gwena mambanda
Amambanda amambanda
Gwena mamba gwena mamba
Amambanda amambanda
Amambanda gwena mambanda
Amambanda amambanda
Gwena mamba gwena mamba
Amambanda amambanda
Amambanda gwena mambanda
Amambanda amambanda
Gwena mamba gwena mamba
Videos[]
Treble - Amambanda
Treble - Amambanda (The Netherlands) 2006 Semi-Final