Tile Kura Bora

The image gracing the cover of our latest album, a simple, well-worn plate, holds a story far deeper than its humble appearance suggests. It’s a tangible link that transports the Zerbo brothers directly back to the heart of our childhood, to the dusty, vibrant streets of Bobo Dioulasso in West Africa.

In that small, bustling town, our modest home became a bustling sanctuary for sixteen vibrant souls – eight of us, the Zerbo children, alongside eight cherished cousins, all under the loving care of our parents. Our father, a dedicated security guard for the local missionaries, worked tirelessly, yet his income, though steady, stretched thin under the weight of so many hungry mouths. It was our mother, the quiet force of nature at the center of our universe, who orchestrated daily miracles.

From dawn till dusk, seven days a week, without a single day of rest, her life was a relentless symphony of rising dough and simmering pots. Long before the sun kissed the horizon, around 5 AM, she would already be at her hearth, boiling yams and sweet potatoes, and preparing a local delicacy known as Dindinli. These nourishing offerings she’d arrange meticulously on that very plate, a giant, sturdy vessel that became our family's first enterprise.

Placed proudly at our front door, it served as a beacon for the early risers – students on their way to school, laborers heading to work, neighbors beginning their day – all drawn by the aroma and the promise of a warm, affordable breakfast. By 11 AM, on a truly blessed day, the plate would be empty, its contents having fueled the community and, in turn, our family.

With the modest earnings, Mother would embark on her daily pilgrimage to the market, a mere 300 feet from our home. This wasn’t just a shopping trip; it was a strategic mission to procure the essential condiments and ingredients that would feed all sixteen of us for the rest of the day, preparing us for whatever unpredictable challenges tomorrow might bring. This was her daily ritual, a testament to her unyielding spirit and resourceful love.

Years ago, as our parents gracefully aged, I returned to visit them. There, on the kitchen floor, lay that familiar plate, worn smooth by countless meals, its surface etched with the quiet history of our survival and joy. My mother, who has now passed, saw me looking at it. I tentatively asked if I could have it. With a gentle smile and a characteristic humility, she responded, "It’s just an old, worn-out bowl, my dear. Are you sure you’d even want such a thing?" I embraced her, the plate clutched firmly in my hands, understanding its immeasurable value.

Now, years later, our brother Darren, with his profound understanding of stories whispered through objects, heard this tale. He knew instantly that this plate, far from being just an "old, dirty" bowl, was a symbol of incredible resilience, unwavering maternal love, and the profound abundance found in sacrifice. Through his vision, its image now graces our album cover, making its narrative eternal.

As you listen to the melodies of our new album and gaze upon the picture of this "Plate Of Abundance," we sincerely hope you discover within it a source of joy, peace, and hope. May it remind us all that true wealth lies not in what we possess, but in the love, sacrifice, and unbreakable spirit that nourish us, just as that plate nourished our family in Bobo Dioulasso.