Traoré, nicknamed "Kar Kar" ("the one who dribbles too much" in Bambara, a reference to his soccer playing), first came to prominence in the early 1960s. He had taught himself to play guitar and developed a unique style that blended blues, Arab music, and kassonké, a style native to the Kayes region. He was a superstar in Mali and a symbol of the newly independent country. His songs were immensely popular and he enjoyed regular radio play. However, he made no recordings, and since there were no royalties payed to musicians, he was very poor and had to work odd jobs to make ends meet.
During the 1970s Traoré's popularity faded, until a surprise television appearance in 1987. Soon after this "rediscovery," Boubacar's wife passed away. Grief-stricken, he moved to France and did construction work to support his six children. While there, a British record producer discovered a tape of one of Traoré's radio performances, and he was finally signed to a record deal. His first album, Mariama, was released in 1990. Since then, Traoré has enjoyed international popularity, touring Europe, Africa, and North America.
Boubacar Traoré was the subject of the 2001 film Je chanterai pour toi ("I'll Sing For You"), released on DVD in 2005.
Soundiata
Boubacar Traoré Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Iyé ne maliden m'bé bara la
Mali sougourounou m'bé bara la
Mali tchêmisen yer kamalen yer
Ouhou mali kamalenbaw
Bêko mali kamalenbaw
Ni be anw kêlê kana a ka armée kêlê
Armée kêlêkêtchêw yer kamalen yer
Soundjata nonkablanw yer kamalen
Ouhou mali kamalenbaw
These lyrics are from the song Soundiata by Boubacar Traoré, which tells the story of Soundiata Keïta, the founder of the Mali Empire. The first line translates to "Here is the child, here is the hero," and the second line goes on to say "He is truly a hero, he is the prince of Bara." Bara was the city Soundiata was originally from, and he became known for his military conquests.
The song continues to describe the Mali Empire as a place of prosperity, using the phrase "Mali sougourounou m'bé bara la," which roughly means "Mali, the land of prosperity." The next line mentions "tchêmisen," which refers to a traditional Malian garment, and "yer kamalen yer," which means "our pride." The chorus celebrates the greatness of Mali, saying "Ouhou mali kamalenbaw," which can be translated as "Oh, Mali, our pride."
The last few lines of the song refer specifically to Soundiata and his army. "Bêko" means "even though" in Bambara, and the lyrics say "even though he didn't have an army, he had Kamalen," meaning Soundiata had the pride and determination to succeed. The last line, "Soundjata nonkablanw yer kamalen," refers to Soundiata as "the lion king," or "nonkablanw," and again mentions the pride and greatness of Mali.
Overall, the song Soundiata serves as a tribute to Soundiata Keïta and the Mali Empire as a whole, celebrating their military conquests, prosperity, and cultural pride.
Line by Line Meaning
Kana ne faga kana ne maliden kêlê
Whether you are from Faga or from Maliden
Iyé ne maliden m'bé bara la
It is from Maliden that I come
Mali sougourounou m'bé bara la
I come from Mali, the land of Sougourou
Mali tchêmisen yer kamalen yer
Mali, where the Tchemisens and Kamalens meet
Ouhou mali kamalenbaw
Oh Mali, land of the Kamalen people
Bêko mali kamalenbaw
Truly, Mali is the land of the Kamalen people
Ni be anw kêlê kana a ka armée kêlê
It was in this same place that the army was gathered
Armée kêlêkêtchêw yer kamalen yer
The army of Kêlê was composed of Kamalens and Ketchéws
Bêko soundjata yer kamalen yer
Indeed, Soundjata was a Kamalen and a Kêlê
Soundjata nonkablanw yer kamalen
Soundjata, the non-Kablanw, was a Kamalen
Ouhou mali kamalenbaw
Oh Mali, land of the Kamalen people
Writer(s): boubacar traore
Contributed by Aubrey T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.