The duo produces music that mixes traditional Mali sound with rock guitars, Syrian violins, Cuban trumpets, Egyptian ney, Colombian trombones, Indian tablas and Dogon percussion. All these elements put together have been referred to as "Afro-blues".
In 2004 they put out an acclaimed album produced by Manu Chao.
In 2006 they were acknowledged with BBC Radio 3 Awards for World Music in the two categories: Africa and Album of the Year (for the "Dimanche à Bamako" release).
www.amadou-mariam.com
Bofou Safou
Amadou & Mariam Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Bofou safou Akanaké Bofou safouyé (dienkono)
Bofou safou Akanaké Bofou safouyé (n'teri)
Niwolola Nimanaraké Bofou safouyiyé
Niyalala nitogo mafo (bofou safou)
Nimafègnè i fa ni baye (bofou safou)
Nimafègnè ibalimanouyé (bofou safou)
Nimafègnè iwolodéougnè (bofou safou)
Bofou safou nimaké bofou safouyè
Bofou safou anaké bofou safouyè (n'teri)
Nimafègnè ifa flanhouyè (bofou safou)
Nimafègnè iba flanhouyè (bofou safou)
Nimafègnè djamanakono (bofou safou)
Ika wari mata allah kola (bofou safou)
Eka wari mata allah kola (bofou safou)
Bofou safou nèmakè bofou safouyè
Eh eh eh
Bofou safouya magni dè
Il faut travailler dans la vie
Il faut pas croiser les bras dans la vie
Il faut te rendre utile dans la vie
Bofou safouya magni dè
Bofou safou némaké bofou safouyè
Bofou safou némaké bofou safouyè (abada)
Bofou safou némaké bofou safouyè (dienkono)
Bofou safou némaké bofou safouyè (dienkono)
The lyrics of "Bofou Safou" by Amadou & Mariam are sung in their native language of Bambara and translate to "we don't have any problems" in English. The song's main message is about the importance of hard work and productivity in life. The repetition of "Bofou Safou" emphasizes this theme - it's a phrase people often use in Mali to describe someone who lives a carefree life without any responsibilities. The song encourages listeners to work hard and not waste their time.
Throughout the lyrics, Amadou and Mariam also encourage listeners to be useful in their communities by contributing their skills and talents. They sing, "it's important to be helpful and contribute to society, instead of just sitting around doing nothing." The song's catchy melody and upbeat rhythm give a sense of positivity and optimism to the message, making it all the more inspiring for listeners.
Overall, "Bofou Safou" is a fun and uplifting song that encourages listeners to work hard and live a meaningful life.
Line by Line Meaning
Bofou safou Kanaké bofou safouyé (dienkono)
Laziness is a curse, don't be lazy and idle around (beloved)
Bofou safou Akanaké Bofou safouyé (dienkono)
Laziness is a curse, don't be lazy and idle around (beloved)
Bofou safou Akanaké Bofou safouyé (n'teri)
Laziness is a curse, don't be lazy and idle around (sweetheart)
Niwolola Nimanaraké Bofou safouyiyé
Don't waste time, use it wisely and don't be lazy (beloved)
Niyalala nitogo mafo (bofou safou)
Don't be afraid of hard work and don't give up easily (lazy and idle)
Nimafègnè i fa ni baye (bofou safou)
Be productive and work for your success (lazy and idle)
Nimafègnè ibalimanouyé (bofou safou)
Avoid procrastination and laziness (lazy and idle)
Nimafègnè iwolodéougnè (bofou safou)
Make good use of your time and avoid wasting it (lazy and idle)
Nimafègnè sigignogogné (bofou safou)
Be active and keep moving forward (lazy and idle)
Bofou safou nimaké bofou safouyè
Being lazy is not an option, you must be active (beloved)
Bofou safou anaké bofou safouyè (n'teri)
Laziness is a curse, don't be lazy and idle around (sweetheart)
Nimafègnè ifa flanhouyè (bofou safou)
Be committed and focused on your goals (lazy and idle)
Nimafègnè iba flanhouyè (bofou safou)
Don't get distracted by laziness or procrastination (lazy and idle)
Nimafègnè djamanakono (bofou safou)
Work hard and don't let laziness be your downfall (lazy and idle)
Ika wari mata allah kola (bofou safou)
God helps those who help themselves (lazy and idle)
Eka wari mata allah kola (bofou safou)
God helps those who help themselves (lazy and idle)
Bofou safou nèmakè bofou safouyè
Being active and productive is the way to go (beloved)
Eh eh eh
Bofou safouya magni dè
Don't be lazy, always do something useful (lazy and idle)
Il faut travailler dans la vie
You have to work in life (lazy and idle)
Il faut pas croiser les bras dans la vie
You shouldn't cross your arms in life (lazy and idle)
Il faut te rendre utile dans la vie
You must make yourself useful in life (lazy and idle)
Bofou safouya magni dè
Don't be lazy, always do something useful (lazy and idle)
Bofou safou némaké bofou safouyè
Being lazy is not an option, you must be active (abada)
Bofou safou némaké bofou safouyè (dienkono)
Being lazy is not an option, you must be active (beloved)
Bofou safou némaké bofou safouyè (dienkono)
Being lazy is not an option, you must be active (beloved)
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: Amadou Bagayoko, Mariam Doumbia
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@balkiss3742
Bofou Safou paroles et sense approximatife
Bofou safou : flemmard, qui ne sert a rien, incapable
Bofou safou Kanaké bofou safouyé (dienkono)
-Bofou safou ne soit pas un bofou safou (dans la vie)
Bofou safou Akanaké Bofou safouyé (dienkono)
-Bofou safou ne soit pas un bofou safou (dans la vie)
Bofou safou Akanaké Bofou safouyé (n'teri)
-Bofou safou ne soit pas un bofou safou (mon ami)
Niwolola (Nimanaraké) nimabarake Bofou safouyiyé
-Si tu es né et que tu n’as pas travaillé tu es un bofu safou
Niyalala nitogo mafo (bofou safou)
-si quand tu te promènes on ne parle pas de toi ([tu es] bofou safou)
Nimafègnè i fa ni baye (bofou safou)
-Si tu n’as rien fait pour tes parents ([tu es] bofou safou)
Nimafègnè ibalimanouyé (bofou safou)
-Si tu n’as rien fait pour tes proches ([tu es] bofou safou)
Nimafègnè iwolodéougnè (bofou safou)
-Si tu n’as servis a rien pour tes enfants ([tu es] bofou safou)
Nimafègnè sigignogogné (bofou safou)
-Si tu n’as rien fait pour tes voisins ([tu es] bofou safou)
Bofou safou nimaké bofou safouyè
-Bofou safou je n’ai pas été bofou safou
Bofou safou anaké bofou safouyè (n'teri)
-Bofou safou je n’ai pas été bofou safou (mon ami)
Nimafègnè ifa flanhouyè (bofou safou)
-Si tu n’as servis a rien pour tes paires ([tu es] bofou safou)
Nimafègnè iba flanhouyè (bofou safou)
-Si tu n’as rien fait pour les paires de ta mère ([tu es] bofou safou)
Nimafègnè djamanakono (bofou safou)
-Si tu n’as servis a rien dans le pays ([tu es] bofou safou)
Ika wari mata allah kola (bofou safou)
-Ton n’argent n’a pas servi à la cause de Dieu (bofou safou)
Eka wari mata allah kola (bofou safou)
-Toi ton argent n’a servi en rien à la cause de Dieu (bofou safou
Bofou safou nèmakè bofou safouyè
-Bofou safou je n’ai pas été bofou safou
Eh eh eh
Bofou safouya magni dè
-Ca n’est pas bien d’être un bofou safou
Il faut travailler dans la vie
Il faut pas croiser les bras dans la vie
Il faut te rendre utile dans la vie
Bofou safouya magni dè
-Ca n’est pas bien d’être un bofou safou
Bofou safou némaké bofou safouyè
-Bofou safou je n’ai pas été bofou safou
Bofou safou némaké bofou safouyè (abada)
-Bofou safou je n’ai pas été bofou safou (jamais)
Bofou safou némaké bofou safouyè (dienkono)
-Bofou safou je n’ai pas été bofou safou (dans la vie)
Bofou safou némaké bofou safouyè (dienkono)
-Bofou safou je n’ai pas été bofou safou (dans la vie)
@solodia8865
Here bofou safou refers to someone who is a “waste of space”, "bum" or in meaner term “waste of sperm”
The chorus goes like this:
waste of space, let us not be a waste of space in this world
waste of space, don't be a waste of space in this world
waste of space, don't be a waste of space my friend
Literal translation of verses is kinda hard, but I will try.
Main verses:
If you came to this world and left (die) without holding a job, your were a waste of space
If you were a traveler (or sum like that) and was never remembered for it, you are a waste of space
If you ain’t done none for your parents, you are a waste of space
If you ain’t done none for your relatives, your are a waste of space
If you ain’t done none for your kids, your are a waste of space
If you ain’t done none to impact your neighbors, your are a waste of space
Waste of space, I am not a waste of space
I used to be fluent :(
Oh feel free to correct me if I am wrong. Just discovered the song and love it :)
You owe me a guided tour when I visit UK later this year lmao
@solodia8865
Here bofou safou refers to someone who is a “waste of space”, "bum" or in meaner term “waste of sperm”
The chorus goes like this:
waste of space, let us not be a waste of space in this world
waste of space, don't be a waste of space in this world
waste of space, don't be a waste of space my friend
Literal translation of verses is kinda hard, but I will try.
Main verses:
If you came to this world and left (die) without holding a job, your were a waste of space
If you were a traveler (or sum like that) and was never remembered for it, you are a waste of space
If you ain’t done none for your parents, you are a waste of space
If you ain’t done none for your relatives, your are a waste of space
If you ain’t done none for your kids, your are a waste of space
If you ain’t done none to impact your neighbors, your are a waste of space
Waste of space, I am not a waste of space
I used to be fluent :(
Oh feel free to correct me if I am wrong. Just discovered the song and love it :)
@FilsduPeuplesafricains
Une fierté pour l'Afrique et le Mali en particulier bravo. 👌🇲🇱☝
@christopherwoods6777
I fell in love with Amadou & Mariam since I first heard them in 2010 when I was learning French. This is music that never becomes old. I still groove to this amazing music. I just wish I got to see them in Paris this past summer. They're awesome.
@evy5639
Thank you Amadou and Mariam for making beautiful music. 🥰
This album has been the soundtrack of my life for the last couple months now, I do lots of things while listening to its songs because they are so beautiful and inspiring. ☺️
Greetings from Brazil. 💕🇧🇷
@ibrahimabamba3028
Voilà un son qui me motive à travailler dur pour mes parents, Mon village, mon pays, mon continent.
@dirtyhonkers
Super groove, un très beau mélange des genres et qui reste bien à vous. Bravo!
@OlivierRICHARD-hn8bk
Toute la planète vous adore et danse sur votre musique, Amadou & Mariam ! Vous appartenez au patrimoine mondial immatériel de l’Humanité !! 🙏🏻✨💛
@Oumkoultoum_Pdg
Je vous aime depuis la Tunisie 🇹🇳 😻❤️🥰🇲🇱
@sarahcoulibaly7212
🇲🇱🇲🇱🇲🇱
@bolchevique50
Muito bom,adorei !
@kadiatoudiarra3069
La fierté du Mali 🇲🇱🇲🇱🇲🇱 je vous aime trop 🥰