Baaba Maal will be headlining London's Barbican on the 30th of May.
Bouyel
Baaba Maal Lyrics
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Kélétaben nowama
Néké té diéwam oumima
??? Niowama
Néké diéwam woy nima
??? Allah djarama
Ana guido Allah djarama
Rew bê Fouta djarama
Rew bé Fouta notima
Yo Walo men go noddi none
Rew bé Fouta notima
???
No woy wor bé tinno dow djéri
???
No woy wor bé tinno nder Walo
Kambê em koula ni tempéré
Your mi ni ma mballen mbé
Hé nêké Bouyel Wouli none
Anh kélétabé nowama
Néké djéwam woy nima
???????
Hé nêké Bouyel Wouli none
Anh kélétabé nowama
???
End
The lyrics to Baaba Maal's song Bouyel describe a journey through different regions of Senegal, with the singer referencing places such as Fouta and Walo. The first stanza loosely translates to "I am lost, wandering in a land where the sun rises. I am asking for help from the moon. I am lost, looking for the path to Allah. I am a guide to Allah's way. I am from Fouta, the land of Diérimen."
Throughout the song, the singer seems to be reflecting on his identity and connection to his homeland. He describes himself as a guide to Allah's way and references the importance of his culture and traditions, particularly in his hometown of Fouta.
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "Hé nêké Bouyel Wouli none / Anh kélétabé nowama / Néké djéwam woy nima," which roughly translates to "I am Bouyel, lost in the land where the sun rises. I am asking for help from the moon. I am lost, searching for my path." The term "Bouyel" has been interpreted as a reference to the people of Fouta, or possibly to the singer himself.
Overall, the lyrics to Bouyel seem to reflect Baaba Maal's deep connection to his homeland and his pride in his role as a cultural ambassador for Senegal.
Line by Line Meaning
Wouli none
I am nobody
Kélétaben nowama
just a passerby
Néké té diéwam oumima
life is a journey with a destination unknown
??? Niowama
where am I going?
Néké diéwam woy nima
I continue my journey to nowhere
??? Allah djarama
God guide me
Ana guido Allah djarama
I am guided by God
Rew bê Fouta djarama
through Fouta I seek guidance
So Diérimen noddi
to Diérimen I belong
Rew bé Fouta notima
Fouta is my home
Yo Walo men go noddi none
even though I am far from Walo
Rew bé Fouta notima
Fouta is still my home
???
my heart is yearning
No woy wor bé tinno dow djéri
to see my loved ones back home in Diéri
???
to see them again in Walo
Kambê em koula ni tempéré
the sandstorms of time wear me down
Your mi ni ma mballen mbé
I am still here, standing strong
Hé nêké Bouyel Wouli none
I am the wandering Bouyel
Anh kélétabé nowama
just a passerby
Néké djéwam woy nima
I continue my journey to nowhere
???????
but I will keep on moving
Hé nêké Bouyel Wouli none
I am the wandering Bouyel
Anh kélétabé nowama
just a passerby
???
but my spirit is free
End
End of the song
Writer(s): Baaba Maal
Contributed by Grace R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@baoozba5263
Cette émouvante chanson tournait en boucle dans mes écouteurs pendant que j'écrivais un chapitre de mon livre. Les émotions me remontaient et je me mettais à écrire et à écrire mes souvenirs au tour du quai de Podor. J'espère que j'aurai la chance de le publier un jour. Baaba Maal est une immense valeur pour la culture africaine, qu'Allah nous le protège.
@elfuego-vj2ji
bon courage dans ton travail, d'écriture il en faut beaucoup pour chaque tâche a laquelle on se dédie, qu'Allah nous protège tous.
@ibrahimakane7758
Il est talentueux et tres effacé j'ai eu le retoutable honneur de le cotoyer c'est un grand monsieur
@SouleyeLartiste
Pas encore publié ?
@theomb1
Je suis Marocain et je viens de découvrir les chansons de Baaba Maal que j'adore !! Et j'aime le Sénégal
May God Bless Africa <3
@famadiallo5303
j'aime Baba maal c'est mon fans depuis mon enfance ses chansons m ont bercés avec des souvenirs inoubliables bravo Baba maal
@sldtv4375
On est unique voilà le sens de notre existence ce qui nous fait humains merci
@sldtv4375
Fama DIALLO c'est pareil pour moi aussi
@sagardieng3586
Merci mon ami
@amadouarmouss6321
merçi a toi aussi Mon frere