Bozos
Amadou & Mariam Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning | Line by Line Meaning
Bozo guana né bi wélé
Bozo tièfanri né bi wélé
Djidon wara né bi wélé
Soguo gnôron lamitiè
Soguo yétou lamitiè
Soguo Dabadjiê lamitiè
Soguo gnara lamitiè
Karaminta bozo, nè bi wélé
Minta bozo, né bi wélé
Sininta bozo, né bi wélé
Famanta bozo, né bi wélé
Soguo migniè kadokélé
Soguo guitiè kadokélé
Soguo boitiè kadokélé
Soguo kotiyen kadokélé
Djinta bozo, né bi wélé
Salamanta bozo, né bi wélé
Kanta bozo, né bi wélé
Tapo bozo, né bi wélé
Konkao bozo, né bi wélé
Jintao bozo, né bi wélé
Kampo bozo, né bi wélé
Bozo horon, né bi wélé
Bozo guana, né bi wélé
Bozo tièfanri, né bi wélé
Djidon wara, né bi wélé
The lyrics of the song "Bozos" by Amadou & Mariam are in the Bambara language, spoken in Mali, and speak to the pride and identity of the Bozo people, a group scattered along the Niger river. The repetition of the phrase "né bi wélé," meaning "it's not a problem," stresses the resilience and acceptance of the Bozos in the face of various challenges.
The opening lines introduce different types of boats used by the Bozos for fishing and transportation, such as the "Bozo horon" and "Bozo guana." The second stanza lists different neighborhoods or districts within the Bozo community, highlighting the sense of community and togetherness that exists among the people.
The chorus mentions different professions or roles within the Bozo society, such as "Karaminta bozo" (the chief of the Bozos) and "Famanta bozo" (the griot or storyteller of the Bozos), emphasizing the importance and diversity of contributions from different members of the community.
The third stanza names various tools and equipment used for fishing, like "Soguo migniè" (fishing net) and "Soguo boitiè" (fishing basket), underscoring the centrality of fishing to the Bozo way of life.
Through these various references, the lyrics of "Bozos" celebrate the resilience, pride, and community of the Bozo people.
Line by Line Meaning
Bozo horon né bi wélé
The Bozo horon are here, we welcome them
Bozo guana né bi wélé
The Bozo guana are here, we welcome them
Bozo tièfanri né bi wélé
The Bozo tièfanri are here, we welcome them
Djidon wara né bi wélé
The Djidon wara are here, we welcome them
Soguo gnôron lamitiè
The Soguo gnôron are our brothers
Soguo yétou lamitiè
The Soguo yétou are our brothers
Soguo Dabadjiê lamitiè
The Soguo Dabadjiê are our brothers
Soguo gnara lamitiè
The Soguo gnara are our brothers
Karaminta bozo, nè bi wélé
We welcome the Karaminta Bozo
Minta bozo, né bi wélé
We welcome the Minta Bozo
Sininta bozo, né bi wélé
We welcome the Sininta Bozo
Famanta bozo, né bi wélé
We welcome the Famanta Bozo
Soguo migniè kadokélé
The Soguo migniè are our friends
Soguo guitiè kadokélé
The Soguo guitiè are our friends
Soguo boitiè kadokélé
The Soguo boitiè are our friends
Soguo kotiyen kadokélé
The Soguo kotiyen are our friends
Djinta bozo, né bi wélé
We welcome the Djinta Bozo
Salamanta bozo, né bi wélé
We welcome the Salamanta Bozo
Kanta bozo, né bi wélé
We welcome the Kanta Bozo
Tapo bozo, né bi wélé
We welcome the Tapo Bozo
Konkao bozo, né bi wélé
We welcome the Konkao Bozo
Jintao bozo, né bi wélé
We welcome the Jintao Bozo
Kampo bozo, né bi wélé
We welcome the Kampo Bozo
Bozo horon, né bi wélé
The Bozo horon are here, we welcome them
Bozo guana, né bi wélé
The Bozo guana are here, we welcome them
Bozo tièfanri, né bi wélé
The Bozo tièfanri are here, we welcome them
Djidon wara, né bi wélé
The Djidon wara are here, we welcome them
Lyrics © SONY ATV MUSIC PUBLISHING, REVA SONS
Written by: AMADOU BAGAYOKO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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. Read Full BioAmadou and Mariam are a musical duo from Mali, composed of the couple Mariam Doumbia (vocals) (born in Mali's capital Bamako 15 April 1958) and Amadou Bagayoko (guitar and vocals) (born in Bamako 24 October 1954). The pair, known as "the blind couple from Mali" met at Mali's Institute for the Young Blind, and found they shared an interest in music.
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
Musa Grace
The song reminds me of Brazil trip and calm my spirit a lot, Africa is great
antidinos
Exelent , proud of being african !
ZeriMelodik
Excellent. I Love It.
Mama Konta
C’est nous les bozos 🇲🇱❤️❤️❤️❤️
Naol Hussen
Question is the instrument in the song Masinko?
Gerard de lang
Naol Hussen it’s probably a Soku a traditional fiddle in Wassoulou music. I believe a Masinko is a similar instrument but the word is Amharic (Ethiopian). If you like the sound of the fiddle check out songs by Salimata Sidibé (she has a fantastic voice)
Moussa Diarra
Bozo ne bivele
Renata Klipel
Does anyone know what's this song about? Couldn't find any translations.
Gerard de lang
So i take it that it’s not actually about the Brazilian president
Marko Hakkola
after a last name he says "né b'i wélé' -- I'm calling you. And he also addresses a few classes of bozo like nobles (horon), and maybe slaves, soldiers and youth, I think. He sings a part of it in Bozo, even.