Radio Africa

"The Syliphone Years" series of compact discs


Bembeya Jazz National.
The Syliphone years.

Listen here
Available from Sterns


Authenticit
é. The Syliphone Years. Guinea's orchestres Nationaux & Federaux. 1965 - 1980.

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Available from Sterns


Balla et ses Balladins.
The Syliphone Years.

 Listen here
Available from Sterns


Keletigui et ses Tambourinis
The Syliphone years.

Listen here
Available from Sterns

 
 After annotating and compiling Sterns' "The Syliphone Years" CDs, new information became available which corrects some minor errors in the booklet texts.
These details are below. Many thanks to Geoff Bale.


 Also below are some translations of Balla et ses Balladins songs.

Updates to the "Keletigui et ses Tambourinis. The Syliphone years" CD.

  • On page 2 of "The Syliphone years" booklet the orchestra is shown, the photo taken from the cover to their first LP on Syliphone. In those early days of Guinea's (and Africa's) recording industry, the photographs of the groups which were featured on the front cover of their recordings did not always present the entire personnel. Talibé Traoré, for example, who was the Tambourini's principal trumpeter in the mid-1970s, missed out on being photographed for the cover of La Rétour, Syliphone SLP 55, as he was late for the photo shoot! Such occurrences make naming the musicians difficult, more so as the liner notes to some of the Syliphone LPs name the orchestra's personnel, which would appear definitive, but actually some members of the groups were frequently omitted. This was most often the case in the early Syliphone SLP and SYL releases. In 2008 I was able to name all but one of the musicians who appear on the covers of Keletiguiet ses Tambourinis first two LPs: Syliphone SLP 1 and SLP 3. I was mistakenly informed, however, that the unnamed person was Djigui Touré, the group's first trumpeter (see below), so in the CD booklet this incorrect information went to print. I can correct this now, and state that the picture is not of Djigui Touré but is in fact of Labilé Camara, the group's conga player. Labilé also went by the name of David Camara. Therefore, SLP 1 on page 2 of the booklet should appear as -

    
     from left to right -
  Kélétigui Traoré - chef d'orchestre, tenor sax, organ, vocals  
  M'Bemba Dioubaté - bass
  Manfila "Dabadou" Kanté - vocals
  Labilé Camara (aka David Camara) - congas
  Linké Condé - guitar
  Kaba Sylla - drums
  Kerfala Camara - vocals
  Bigné Doumbia - alto sax, tenor sax

  (not pictured) Djigui Touré - trumpet

  • This is the personnel of the orchestra who performed on SLP 1 and SLP 3. The songs were recorded in 1964, according to Keletigui Traoré. The two LPs were not released until late 1966 or early 1967. Efforts to precisely date the release of the first Syliphone LPs (that is, SLPs 1 - 7, which were released together) have proved elusive.

  • Djigui Touré was the group's first trumpet player, not the percussionist as written in the text to the CD. His solos are evident on SLPs 1 and 3. Kerfala Camarawas not the lead trumpeter at that stage, and was taught his craft by Djigui. Kerfala Camara took over as the trumpet player in the group when Djigui departed. No photograph of Djigui Touré is in evidence.

  • Linké Condé was the sole guitarist in the orchestra on SLP 1 and SLP 3. Sékou Condé on rhythm guitar did not join the Tambourinis until the mid 1960s.

  • Momo "Wandel" Soumah did not perform on SLP 1 or SLP 3. He joined the group in circa 1965 after being recruited from Kakilambé Jazz, the Federal Orchestra of Conakry II.

  • "Petit" Kélétigui Kourouma was (one of) the group's first bass players and vocalists (he was the original singer of "Chiquita", among others). He is credited as the group's bass player in the liner notes to SYL 519, 522, 523 and 524, along with the musicians Manfila "Dabadou" Kanté and M'Bemba Dioubaté. Kerfala Camara had earlier played the double-bass with the orchestra, and when the electric bass was adopted into the group it was played by "Petit" Kélétigui Kourouma. When "Petit" Kélétigui left the Tambourinis for Côte d'Ivoire in 1964, M'Bemba Dioubaté took over on bass. Thus "Petit" Kélétigui Kourouma did not join the group in the late 1960s as indicated in the booklet, but was actually a founding member.

  • Labilé Camara (aka David Camara) was also one of the founding members of the group, joining them much earlier than the "early 1970s" as written in the booklet text.

  • Lansana Diabaté was not an original member but joined the group in the early 1970s. 


Updates to the"Balla et ses Balladins. The Syliphone years" CD.
  • On page 15 of "The Syliphone years" booklet the cover of Syliphone SLP 2 appears. The musicians are -

  
     from left to right, standing -
  Bamba Kourouma (bass)
  Abdou Camara (drums)
  Pivi Moriba (trombone)
  Balla Onivogui (trumpet)
  Amadou Thiam (congas)
  Fodé N'Diaye Soumah (tenor sax, flute)
  S
ankumba Diawara (guitar)
     f
rom left to right, seated -
  Manfila "Soba" Kanté (vocals)
  Sékou "Le docteur" Diabaté (guitar)

  • Though an earlier photo of the group has been published (see p. 255 in Charry's "Mande music"), the SLP 2 cover helps to clarify the group's early personnel. Missing from the photo is Gueye Doudou (saxophone).
    The photo includes Fodé N'Diaye Soumah, but he is not named on the back cover
    . Kemo Kouyaté, who is pictured on SYL 508, which was released one or two years after SLP 2, is neither pictured nor mentioned, and may therefore have joined the group in circa 1968.

  • On page 2 of the booklet the following photo appears, taken from the cover to Syliphone SLP 31. The musicians are -

  
     from left to right -
  Manfila "Soba" Kanté (vocals)
  David Condé (aka Daouda Condé) - drums
  Ibrahima Kouyaté - guitar
  Emile "Benny" Soumah - vocals

  • On page 8 of the booklet I wrote that Balla et ses Balladins and Keletigui et ses Tambourinis commenced recording in the mid 1960s as the "Orchestre du Jardin de Guinée" and the "Orchestre de la Paillote", respectively. My research at the archives of Radio Télévision Guinée indicates that the first reel-to-reel recording by "Orchestre de la Paillote" was engineered by Souleymane Kondé at the Ville Sily in Coleah on a Nagra III on February 22 1963. The songs recorded were "Alloué na Gordon", "Nadiaba", "Mindia", "Abana", "Soké ma souri", "Pasa doblé", "Mamaya" and "Kébundo". A further six tracks - "Mambo chi", "OMCFG", "Wombéni", Paillote merengue", and "Kobini méné" - were recorded on April 4 1963 at La Paillote by "N'Faly & Kaba & C. M. Elvarez". The first recording by "Balla et ses Balladins" at the RTG archive was made on February 9 1964. The songs recorded were "Yarabi" and "Kelemagni", with one or two further tracks from that session to be confirmed.

  • On page 9 of the booklet the following photo appears, taken from the cover to Syliphone SYL 549. The musician on the right was incorrectly identified as Emile "Benny" Soumah. The musicians are in fact:

  
     from left to right -
  Sékou "Le docteur" Diabaté (guitar)
  Manfila "Soba" Kanté (vocals)

  • On page 12 the following photo appears, taken from the cover to Syliphone SLP 31. The musicians are -

  
     from left to right -
  Fodé N'Diaye Soumah - tenor sax, flute
  David Condé (aka Daouda Condé) - drums
  Mbemba Diakité - bass
  Morciré "Lopez" Camara - congas (confirmed by Emile Soumah in 2011. Yet to confirm whether "Lopez Camara" is Morciré Camara)
  Manfila "Soba" Kanté - vocals
  Emile "Benny" Soumah - vocals
  Ibrahima Kouyaté - guitar
  Pivi Moriba - trombone, alto sax

  • On page 16 the opening lyric to "Bélébélé" should be corrected to read - "Ah, wherever a gentleman stays the night, you are in the hands of your mother". This meaning was given to me by Balla Onivogui in 2009.

  • On page 20 the cover of Syliphone SYL 508 appears. The musicians are -

   .
      from left to right, standing -
  Sékou "Le docteur" Diabaté - guitar
  Famoro
Kouyaté - bass
  Kemo Kouyaté - guitar
     from left to right, seated -
  Pivi Moriba - trombone
  Balla Onivogui - trumpet
  Manfila "Soba" Kanté - vocals

  • On page 34 the cover of Syliphone SYL 571 appears. The musicians are -

  
     from left to right -
  Morciré Camara - congas
  Emile "Benny" Soumah - vocals

  • On page 36 the cover of Syliphone SYL 572 appears. The musicians are -

  
     from left to right -
  Balla Onivogui - trumpet
  David Condé (aka Daouda Condé) - drums
  Manfila "Soba" Kanté - vocals

  • On page 39 the cover of Syliphone SLP 47 appears. The musicians are -

  
     from left to right -
  Ibrahima Kouyaté - guitar
  Sylla Souleymane - soprano sax, clarinet
  Balla Onivogui - trumpet
  David Condé (aka Daouda Condé) - drums
  Pivi Moriba - alto sax, trombone
  Manfila "Soba" Kanté - vocals
  Mbemba Diakité - bass
  Fodé N'Diaye Soumah - tenor sax, flute

  • On page 41 the cover of Syliphone SLP 75 appears. The musicians are -

  
     from left to right -
  David Condé (aka Daouda Condé) - drums
  Manfila "Soba" Kanté - vocals
  Mbemba Diakité - bass
     seated -
 
Balla Onivogui - trumpet

Balla et ses Balladins. The Syliphone years.

Some translations from Maninka to English by Nienke Muurling and Boubakar Diabaté

© Copyright



Fadakudu
Also known as "Farakuru". Thanks to Oumar Bah for some corrections.

Kamaren t’a fo
Fen te n bolo
Numukamaren t’a fo
Fen te n bolo
[repeat]

Sungurun t’a fo
Fen te n bolo
Numusungurun (1) t’a fo
Fen te n bolo

I te muruni dan
I te dabani dan
I te beseran dan
I te tegeran dan
I te woroto dan
I te dagani dan
Nye parata ta ta ta ta ta ta
Ce fan fe fou fan fan fou fou fan
Sanun yelema
Wari
(2) yelema
Wari yelema
Sanun yelema
Numusungurun be, numukamaren be
Numukamaren be, numusungurun be
I te wari dan. Ah i te wari dan. N ye baara
I te wari dan. Ah i te wari dan. N ye baara
I te sanun dan. Ah i te sanun dan. N ye baara
I te sanun dan. Ah i te sanun dan. N ye baara
I t’i yelema. Ah i t’i yelema.
Fantan jofe
I ye n son wari nina
I t’i yelema. Ah i t’i yelema.
Fantan jofe
I te ne son wari nina
Fantan jo fara
Jefarima ke fara
Malado Fanta ke fara
Woriya ke fara kuru
Fara ni nege wooo

JRDA (4) lu, JRDA lu, an ye baara
JRDA lu, JRDA lu, an ye baara
JRDA lu, JRDA lu, an ye baara
JRDA lu, JRDA lu, an ye baara
Senekeyoro ye an bolo, an ye baara
Senekedaba ye an bolo, an ye baara
Fuganbodiya ye an bolo, an ye baara
Negeboyoro ye an bolo, an ye baara
Folifen nyuman ye an bolo, an ye baara
Fama nyuman ye an bolo, an ye baara
JRDA lu, JRDA lu, an ye baaraa
JRDA lu, JRDA lu, an ye baara
Jokante ke fara
Malado Fanta ke fara
Woriya ke fara
Fara ni nege wooo

The young man does not say
I do not have anything
The young smith does not say
I do not have anything
[repeat]

The young girl does not say
I do not have anything

The young smith-girl does not say
I do not have anything

Wouldn’t you create a little knife?
Wouldn’t you create a hoe?
Wouldn’t you create a sword?
Wouldn’t you create a axe?
Wouldn’t you create a sickle?
Wouldn’t you create a little jar?
You have to work the forge... ta ta ta ta ta ta
Ce fan fe fou fan fan fou fou fan
[sound of the forge]
Gold transformed
Silver transformed
Silver transformed
Gold transformed
The smith-girl is here, the smith-boy is here
The smith-boy is here, the smith-girl is here
Wouldn’t you create silver? Ah
, wouldn’t you create silver? I will work
Wouldn’t you create silver? Ah
, wouldn’t you create silver? I will work
Wouldn’t you create gold? Ah
, wouldn’t you create gold? I will work
Wouldn’t you create gold? Ah
, wouldn’t you create gold? I will work
Don’t you turn around. Ah, don’t you turn around
?
You gave me silver (or money)
Don’t you turn around. Ah, don’t you turn around
?
Wouldn’t you give me some silver (money)?
?
The fara of the husband of Jefarima
The fara of the husband of Malado Fanta
The farakuru of the husband of Woriya
The stone and the iron
wooo

To the JRDA, to the JRDA, let us work
To the JRDA, to the JRDA, let us work
To the JRDA, to the JRDA, let us work
To the JRDA, to the JRDA, let us work
We have the farmland, we will work
We have the hoe to farm, we will work
We have the place to extract nickel, we will work
We have the place to extract iron, we will work
We have good musical instruments, we will work
We have a good government, we will work
To the JRDA, to the JRDA, let us work
To the JRDA, to the JRDA, let us work
The fara of the husband of Jokante
The fara of the husband of Malado Fanta
The fara of the husband of Woriya
The stone and the iron
wooo

(1) In fact the smiths-wife (numumuso) is responsible for the pottery. They extract the clay and they make jars etc.
(2) "Wari" can be translated as silver or money. The first option was chosen here.
(3) "Yelema" can be translated as "to transform"
.
(4) The Jeunesse du Rassemblement Democratique Africain. The youth wing of the RDA.


Bandian
Bandian was a kelemansa - a king - in the time of the French Sudan. He is very well known historic figure in Guinea and Mali.

Sunkalomakonola Bandian sara
O nfa Bandian mansa l’i sarala
Koronla jelilu olu be duba la
Fa Bandian jelilu jigi l’ile di.

Ah Kariya Mansalu President birima
Ko bee Bandian
Saya te jon to k’i togo banna
Bandian Bandian Bandian Sidim
é banna

Saya te jon to la k’i togo banna.
Badubaden

Salamalenda jelilu olu be duba l’i ye
Nfa Bandian jelilu jigi l’ile di
Ah Kouroumanse waramanse mogolu Bandian
Saya te jon to k’i togo banna
Badubaden

Bandian Bandian Bandian Sidim
é banna
Saya te jon to la k’i togo banna
Badubaden
?
Bandian ?
Badubaden

Tile min bolen Mamaya(1) tile le bolen
Tile min bolen RDA(2) tile le bolen
Tile min bolen Mamaya tile le bolen
Ah jelilu ye olu fo la
?
Bandian ?
Badubaden
Iyo!

Bandian died in the month before Ramadan
Oh my father Bandian, God has paid you
The griots in the east give their blessings
Father Bandian the griots’ hope is on you.

Ah Kariya Masalu’s President has died
Bandian who does everything
Nobody escapes death but your name may continue
Bandian Bandian Bandian Sidimé died

Nobody escapes death but your name may continue.
Child blessed by the mother

The griots of Salamalenda give you blessings
My father Bandian, the griots’ hope is on you
Ah Kouroumanse waramanse people Bandian
Nobody escapes death but your name may continue
Child blessed by the mother

Bandian Bandian Bandian Sidim
é died
Nobody escapes death but your name may continue
Child blessed by the mother
?
Bandian ?
Child blessed by the mother

The era which has passed was the era of Mamaya
The era which has passed was the era of RDA
The era which has passed was the era of Mamaya
Ah griots that is what they say
?
Bandian ?
Child blessed by the mother
Iyo!

(1) A "mamaya" is a social event which involved youth and dancing.
(2)
Formed in Bamako in 1946, the Rassemblement Démocratique Africain (RDA) was one of West Africa’s first political parties.
 

Bedianamo
The song title should have been recorded as "Bedianemo", which is a Maninka term for "a talented person".

I…fama
Bedianemo cheri duman ye
I bara…benbaya
Bedianemo cheri duman ye
Woi i le ma lon miri ma nyi
Cheri duman ye dooni
Alu nye te Laginemusow bee kan
Cheri duman ye
Oh oo i le…kassila
Cheri duman ye
Oh oo i le…mirila
Cheri duman ye
I bara…benbaya
Bedianemo cheri duman ye
I bara…
Bedianemo cheri duman ye
Woi i le ma lon miri ma nyi
Cheri duman ye dooni
Alu nye te Laginemusow bee kan
Cheri duman ye
Oh oo i le…kassila
Cheri duman ye
Oh oo i le…mirila
Cheri duman ye

You…rich / well-known
You are a talented person, my sweet love
You will… ?
You are a talented person, my sweet love
Ah don’t you know that too much reflection is not good
My little sweet love
Don’t you see the women of Guinea
My sweet love
Oh oo you…are crying
My sweet love
Oh oo you…are reflecting
My sweet love
You will… ?
You are a talented person, my sweet love
You will…
You are a talented person, my sweet love
Ah, don’t you know that too much reflection is not good
My little sweet love
Don’t you see the women of Guinea
My sweet love
Oh oo you…are crying
My sweet love
Oh oo you…are reflecting
My sweet love


 
B
élébélé

Ah Bélébélé sira fanfan,
I na le bolo
(1)
I na ma kusan ce fe barola,
I na le bolo
Ah
Bélébélé sira fanfan,
I na le bolo
I na ma kusan ce fe tolona,
i na le bolo
Denke nyara denke tinyena,
o i na nyininka
Ka denke ke sonyali la di, I na le bolo
Denke nyara denke tinyena,
I na nyininka
Ka denke ke banabana
(3) di, i na le bolo
Lutigi ceba (4) de be kuma min be fo,
Muso t’o jaabi
Lutigi ceba de be kuma min bef o,
Muso t’o jaabi

Ah wherever a gentleman passes the night,
you are in the hands of your mother.
Your mother is not used to chat with her husband (2),
you are in the hands of you mother.
Ah wherever a gentleman passes the night,
you are in the hands of your mother.
Your mother is not to used to play with her husband,
you are in the hands of your mother.
Whether a child becomes successful or whether a child will be spoiled,
you have to ask its mother.
It is the mother who makes a thief of her son.
Whether a child becomes successful or whether a child will be spoiled,
ask the mother.
It is the mother who makes a rambler of her son.
When the big chief of the family speaks,
a woman cannot answer him.
When the big chief of the family speaks,
a woman cannot answer him

(1) "I na le bolo", (na = ba = mother) refers to the Maninka saying "bee b’i ba boo" - "everything is in the hands of your mother". If a mother suffers a lot, her children will be successful in life, it is thought. A mother has to behave right, according to the norms for being a good spouse and a good mother, and if she succeeds, this will protect her children against dangers, even when they should pass the night in the bush, nothing will harm them.
(2) In earlier days the worlds of men and women were separate worlds. It was not normal for a woman to sit next to her husband and have conversations with him.
(3) "Banabana" means someone who wanders around (as the street vendors with their merchandise on their head) but does not earn anything.
(4) "Lutigi ceba" is the chef de la famille and of course in earlier times women had no right to criticize him. In other words wives had to obey the words of their husband, they did not have any right to contradict him.


Ka noutea
The song title should have been recorded as "
Kanoutea", which means "loving each other" (used as a verb) or "loved one / beloved" (used as a subject).

Diyanemogo diyanemogo wato min?
Ala ka n diyanemogo dan
Ko bee jarabi do ah deni
Dyanemogo diyanemogo wato min?
Ala ka diyanemogo diya ne
Jarabi ma nyi
I te fara
Alu le ne neni e le fe
Alu ye ma kuma la e le fe
Ni la kanoutea
don gwelema
Alu ye n gosili e le fe
Alu ye ma kuma la e le fe
Soro jigintanya
don gwelema
I diyanemogo bid’i neni
O be diyane do
I diyanemogo bid’i kanu
O be diyane do
Diyane do damba temeba fene ma nyi
Ni hakilima fila benna kele ma
Diyanela dama tambiliba fene ma nyi
Jarabi ma nyi
I te fara
Woyi na jarabi

N be nayiri kinin ta
Njarabi le jarabi la
Ah ne la kanoutea ah deni
I b’i la pantalon nin don
Jarabi le jarabi e la
Ah ne la kanoutea ah deni
I b’i la soulier nin don
I jarabi le jarabi la sa
Woyi ne la kanoutea ah deni
I b’i la montoro nin ta
Jarabi le jarabi la
Ah ne le kanoutea ah deni
Ko kelen
Ne kanu dumanu fara la
I ni diyanemogo o te
Kòkuma le kanu sala
I te fara
Ni seben I kanu duman ma
I tulo madon
Kolankoman le kanu dumanu fara la ah deni
I b’i layiri kinin do
Jarabi le jarabi la kò
Ah ne la kanoutea ah deni
I b’i la montoro nin don
Jarabi le jarabi la
Ah ne la kanoutea ah deni
Woyi malawuli a ma, jafa ma
Ah malawuli a ma, jafa ma
Alu ye ne neni e le fe

My love my sweetheart where are you going to?
God created my love
And you will find everything in love my child
My love my sweetheart where are you going to?
Thanks to God I love my sweetheart
Love is not good
Let it go
They insult me because of you
They gossip about me because of you
The spirit of loving each other
it has become difficult
They beat me because of you
They gossip about me because of me
Being in the village without a sweetheart
it has become difficult
If your love insults you
That makes part of love too
If your love loves you
That makes part of love too
It is wrong to transgress certain borders in love
If two intelligent people understand each other while having words
It is wrong to transgress certain borders in love
Love is not good
(1)
Let it go
Woyi my love

If I wear my shirt
My love will fall in love with me
I will fall in love with you my love
If you wear these trousers
I will fall in love with you my love
Ah we love each other my child
If you wear these shoes
I will fall in love with you my love
Woyi my child we love each other
If you wear this watch
I will fall in love with you my love
Ah we love each other my child
But let us tell you one thing
Because it is one thing that is able to separate two lovers
Between you and your sweetheart
Talking behind one’s back can destroy love
Don't listen to it
If you seriously love your sweetheart
Do not keep your ear at it
Comparing yourself with others can separate two lovers as well my child
If you wear your shirt
I will fall in love with you my love
Ah we love each other my child
If you wear this watch
I will fall in love with you my love
Ah we love each other my child
Woyi, I did not do it express, please forgive me
Ah I did not do it express, please forgive me
They insult me because of you 

(1) In the sense that it can make you blind or if your love is not answered it can make you very sad and hopeless.

 
Kogno koura

Mmm ne e le fe
Na na na janfa ma nyi

Kanunyogon na malo ma nyi ne janfa tinye
Ah kanunyogon ni e le nyinina

Furunyogon kanu malo ma nyi ne janfa tinye
Ah furunyogon ne e le fe

Kanunyogon malo ma nyi janfa tinye
Ah kanunyogon ne e le ko

Ne kassila mogo le fe
Ne nenina mogo le fe
Mogo maloya mogo le fe
Bi ye dunya janfa

Ne gosila mogo le fe
Ne nenina mogo le fe
Mogo maloya mogo le fe
Bi ye dunya janfa

…miriko ma nyi n e le fe
N ye taafe san n bara o le san
N ye Honda san n bara o le san
Ko n ye duruki san n bara o le san
Ko n ye robu (1) kara n bara robu kara
Ko n ye montoro (2) san n bara o le san
Ke di ko ko ke
N bara o ke n deni
(3)
Nye mun de ke sa?
Nye mun de ke sa?
Jafa n ma Ala nole eh deni
N be soma Ala nole deni
Jafa n ma Ala nole deni

…miri ko ma nyi n e le fe
N ye taafe san n bara o le san
Ko n ye Honda san n bara o le san
Ko n ye robu kara n bara o le kara
Ko n ye seni(4) san n bara o le san
Ke di ko ko ke n bara o le k’i ye
Nye mun de ke sa?
Nye mun de ke sa?
Jafa n ma Ala nole deni
N be soma Ala nole deni
Jafa n ma Ala nole deni
N be soma Ala nole deni
Jafa n ma Ala nole deni
N be soma Ala nole deni
Jafa n ma Ala nole

Mmm I love you
Na na na betrayal is not good

Two people who love each other shame is not good (for them) and the betrayal failed
Two people who love each other I am looking (searching) for you

Two married people who love each other shame is not good (for them) and the betrayal failed
Ah my husband (my wife) I love you

Two people who love each other shame is not good (for them) and the betrayal failed
Ah my love I will follow you

I cried because of someone
I am insulted because of someone
Somebody feels ashamed because of someone
This is today’s word and betrayal is part of that

I am beaten because of someone
I am insulted because of someone
Somebody feels ashamed because of someone
This is today’s world and betrayal is part of that

…too much reflection is not good, I love you
(You told) me to buy cloth and I bought it (for you)
(You told) me to buy a Honda and I bought it
You told me to buy a boubou and I bought it
You told me to sew a dress and I sewed a dress
You told me to buy a watch and I bought a watch
Everything a husband has to do
I did all that my child
So what else can I do now?
What else can I do now?
Please forgive me, God did it my child
See you soon, God did it my child
Please forgive me, God did it my child

…too much reflection is not good, I love you
(You told) me to buy a cloth and I bought it (for you)
You told me to buy a Honda and I bought it
You told me to sew a dress and I sewed it for you
You told me to buy a necklace and I bought it
Everything a man (husband) has to do I have done that for you
So what else can I do now my child?
What else can I do now?
Please forgive me, God did it my child
See you soon, God did it, my child
Please forgive me, God did it my child
See you soon, God did it my child
Please forgive me, God did it my child
See you soon, God did it my child
Please forgive me, God did it

(1) Borrowed from the French word "robe".
(2) Borrowed from the French word "montre".
(3) "Deni"
means literally child, but here it is understood in the sense of "my love".
(4) Borrowed from the French word
"chaîne" in the sense of collier


Sakhodougou

Sakhodougou (or Sackodugu) is the village in Mali where the Mansa Nasira Madi was born. The rhythm to the song and the song itself is also known as "masira madi
".

Kuma te kunan ceba min kono

Kuma te fol’i nya na
Kuma te kunan ceba min kono

Kuma te fol’aw nya na

Barado kuma (2) te kunan ceba min kono

Kuma te fola cebaw ye
Nin bara diya mogo min na,
ko te goya i la
Nin bara diya mogow min na,  ko te goya aw la
A dun bara diya mogo min na, ko te goya o tigi la
RDA (3) min ?
A dun bara diya bee ye
RDA bara sabati
Dinye bee ka lon
Lagine RDA lonni be Ala
A dun bara Guinee sabati
I ba kuma fo tinye la
O ye kuma de surunya
Alu ba kuma fo tinye la
I nye te kuma de surunya
Mogobaw kuma fo tinye la
O ye kuma de surunya
I man di lo mogo min ye,
A t’i lalila ko ma
I man di lo mogo min ye,
A t’i lalila ko ma
Mogo man di lo mogo min ye,
A t’i lalila ko ma
A Jata(4) le, I ni wula jeliya la
Saralon sirala janjonba(5)
Famaden
Oh mogo oh
Ah aaa

Yanmario(6)…ooo Jata!
Ah Jata, ah Jata, ah Jata, ah Jata, ah Jata le Ala
I te fili, i te nyina, i te segen, i te kori, i te fili, e Ala

Ah jeliya la, ah jeliya la
I man di lo mogo min ye,
a t’i lalila ko ma
I man di lo mogo min ye,
a t’i lalila ko ma
Mogo man di lo mogo min ye,
I lalila ko ma la
Ah Jata le, I ni wula jeliya la
Saralon sirala janjonba
Famaden
Oh mogo le oo

A great man should keep the words inside
(if he is not capable of keeping secrets) (1)
Words are not spoken to you (sing.)
A great man should keep the words inside
(if he is not capable of keeping secrets),
Words are not spoken to you (pl.)

Words of the village meeting should be kept inside
(if the great man is not capable of keeping a secret)
Words are not spoken to great men
If this pleases the people,
it won’t be difficult for you (sing.)
If this pleases the people, it won’t be difficult for you (pl.)
If this pleases the people, it won’t be difficult
RDA which ?
It has been good for everyone
The time (and work) of RDA was successful
Everybody in the world knows that
RDA of Guinea knowledge is the domain of God
It would have succeed in Guinea.
If you (sing.) speak words of truth
The words won’t be plenty.
If you (pl) speak words of truth
You (sing.) won’t see plenty of words.
If great men speak words of truth
The words won’t be plenty.
If someone does not like you,
He won’t advise you.
If someone does not like you,
He won’t advise you.
Somebody who dislikes someone,
He won’t advise you.
Ah Jata, good evening jeliya
The great king on the road of Sierra Leone.
Son of a king
Oh people oh!
Ah aaa

Yanmario…oh Jata
Ah Jata, ah Jata, ah Jata, ah Jata, ah Jata le God
You don’t mistake, you don’t forget, you don’t get tired,
      you don’t panic, you don’t mistake ee God
Ah jeliya la, ah jeliya la
If someone does not like you,
He won’t advise you
If someone does not like you,
He won’t advise you
Somebody who dislikes another,
You will advice him about the affair
Ah Jata le, good evening jeliya la
Great king on the road of Sierra Leone
Son of a king
Oh people! oo

(1) The first few lines should be read as a general advice to people - a person who is not able to keep a secret should not hear important words.
(2) "Barado kuma" - in the past the elders of the village met each other occasionally outside the village ("barado") to speak about village matters.
(3)
Formed in Bamako in 1946, the Rassemblement Démocratique Africain (RDA) was one of West Africa’s first political parties.
(4) Jata or jara means lion, and may refer to Sunjata Keita.

(5) Many people from Mali and Guinea migrated in the direction of Sierra Leone, which attracted people because of its diamonds and gold.
(6) Untranslatable exclamation often used by griots.


Soumbouyaya

Soumbouyaya was a mythical figure who could eat huge quantities of food (for example: two cows, 200 kilos of rice, etc) in
front of his public. It is said that "jina tun b'a fe" - there were devils with him - who made it possible for him to eat as much as he did.

Eh na mogolu RDA (1) jamana diyara
Kabini dunya danna, jon bara... ?
Soumbouyaya yaya
Kabini dunya danna,
jon bara wulu ye juma ro
Soumbouyaya yaya
Eh na mogolu feere le jamana diyara
Soumbouyaya yaya
Hali Laginedennu, Ala le jon son la fen na
Soumbouyaya yaya
Iyo na mogolu feere le jamana bara diya
Soumbouyaya yaya
Kabini dunya danna, ne ma Lagine o ye
Soumbouyaya yaya
Eee ne ma yala fen ye
Soumbouyaya yaya
Soumbouyaya yaya (12 x)
Kabini dunya danna, jon bara ?
Soumbouyaya yaya
Iyo na mogolu feere le jamana diyara
Soumbouyaya yaya
Ee iyo RDA jamana diyara
Soumbouyaya yaya
Iyo na mogolu feere le jamana diyara
Soumbouyaya yaya
O na mogolu RDA jamana diyara
Soumbouyaya yaya 

Eh my people the country flourished under the RDA
Since the world has been created, who…(inaudible)?
Soumbouyaya yaya
Since the world has been created,
who has seen a dog at the Friday afternoon prayer?
Soumbouyaya yaya
Eh my people the country flourished thanks to the commerce
Soumbouyaya yaya
Even the people of Guinee, it is God who provides luck (chance)
Soumbouyaya yaya
Iyo my people the country will flourish thanks to the commerce
Soumbouyaya yaya
Since the world has been created, I have not seen a country like Guinea
Soumbouyaya yaya
Eee to wander is good
Soumbouyaya yaya
Soumbouyaya yaya (12 x)
Since the world has been created, who…?
Soumbouyaya yaya
Iyo my people the country flourished thanks to the commerce
Soumbouyaya yaya
Eee iyo the country flourished under RDA
Soumbouyaya yaya
Iyo my people the country flourished thanks to the commerce
Soumbouyaya yaya
O my people the country flourished under RDA
Soumbouyaya yaya

(1) Formed in Bamako in 1946, the Rassemblement Démocratique Africain (RDA) was one of West Africa’s first political parties.