The son of a successful jeweler, Lô was born in Bobo-Dioulasso, a small village near Senegal's border with Mali. He grew up speaking Bambara, Wolof, and French. As a youngster, he became fascinated with music and taught himself to play drums and guitar. In 1976, he accepted an invitation to join a local group, Orchestra Volta Jazz, as a percussionist. He remained with the band until moving to the capital city of Dakar in 1980.
Lô quickly became involved with the music scene of Dakar. After a three-year stint as drummer for progressive vocalist Ouza, he joined the house band at the Hotel Savana in 1984. Although he performed with the group for a little over a year, the experience exposed him to a global range of pop influences.
Emigrating to France in 1985, Lô found work as a session drummer in Paris. Soon afterward, he purchased his first guitar and began writing songs. Although he formed a band with Ivoirean and French musicians and began working on an album in 1987, the group separated before its completion. Lô's debut solo album, Doxandeme (Immigrants), was released as a cassette in 1990. Despite receiving a Nouveau Talent award, the album fell short of Lô's artistic expectations. Although he began working on a second album, he became disenchanted and canceled the project. For the next four years, he maintained a low profile.
In 1995, Lô convinced Youssou N'Dour, whom he met in 1989 while playing on an album by traditional Wolof griot singer N'diaga M'baye, to produce an album for him. The resulting album, Ne La Thiass, was released on N'Dour's label, Jololi, shortly before Lô joined the multi-artist Jololi Revue tour in November 1996. Lô continued to promote the album during a European tour with his own eight-piece band, N'Diguel, in April 1997. The same year, Lô received Best Newcomer and Kora All-American awards in South Africa. Lô continued to expand his following to the United States as a featured performer with Africa Fete in 1998. The following year, he received the Ordre National de Merite de Leon from the president of Senegal. In 2000, he returned to recording with the release of Bambay Gueej. The title means "bamba, ocean of peace," and was co-produced by Nick Gold and Youssou N'Dour. Lamp Fall appeared in 2006 from Nonesuch Records. ~ Craig Harris, All Music Guide
Bamba
Cheikh Lô Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Guéthie sappé sou wétt
Mame bamba mo fi diouli guéthie
Guéthie sappé sou wétt
Mame bamba mo fi diouli guéthie
Guéthie sappé sou wétt
Yalla la defone n'ganay batakh na massoula neup fatal,
Guéthie sappé sou wétt
Thionom dji mô diour diam dji,
Gneuptal ba fara béw,
Bamba kharé mba am ndam
May gnouko, gnoukoy n'damo
Mame bamba mofi diouli guéthie
Guéthie sappé sou wétt
Kounek ngui wakh sa khalaat
Bamba djingui sounouy khalaat
Bouléne ko sakal morom,
Moro mantéwoul
Bamba diara yém foko fék fofa la mane
Bamba weét si bindam
Bamou amé batay guissatou gnou kou mélni momo
Mame bamba mofi diouli guéthie
Kou nek ngui wakh sa khalaat
Bamba djingui sounouy khalaat
Bouléne ko sakal morom, moro mantéwoul
Gaalguay diow ba tisbaar, massine ba fardi sab
Soubhana wo bamba di borom milakhwa
Mame bamba mofi diouli guéthie
Guéthie sappé sou wétt
Mame bamba mofi diou li guéthie
Fékhlene ba woor, woolonténe
Sopantalene sama gaayi dimbalentelene
Fékhlene ba woor, woolonténe
Sopantalene sama gaayi dimbalentelene
Ah mame bamba, y adiara wolo
Mame bamba mofi diouli guéthie sappe kou wétt
The song "Bamba" by Cheikh Lô is a tribute to the renowned Senegalese Muslim scholar and leader, Mame Bamba. The lyrics pay homage to his teachings and his legacy. The repeated chant of "Mame Bamba mo fi diouli guéthie guéthie sappé sou wétt" translates to "Mame Bamba, the one who has knowledge and wisdom, whose words are clear and true."
The lyrics also reference the Islamic faith with lines such as "Yalla la defone n'ganay batakh na massoula neup fatal" which translates to "God show us the right path and protect us from the pitfalls." The song highlights the importance of following one's faith and the teachings of leaders like Mame Bamba.
Overall, the lyrics of "Bamba" are a celebration of Mame Bamba's teachings and the impact he had on Senegal and its people.
Line by Line Meaning
Mame bamba mo fi diouli guéthie
Oh Mame Bamba, you who hold the truth
Guéthie sappé sou wétt
You who hold the key to wisdom
Yalla la defone n'ganay batakh na massoula neup fatal,
God, show us the path to eternal life and protect us from evil
Bamba diouli guéthie
Bamba, holder of the truth and the key to wisdom
Thionom dji mô diour diam dji,
We are all travelers in this world,
Gneuptal ba fara béw,
But some are lost and need guidance
Bamba kharé mba am ndam
Bamba, you are the light that shines the way
May gnouko, gnoukoy n'damo
Without you, we are lost in darkness
Kounek ngui wakh sa khalaat
You who know the secrets of the universe
Bamba djingui sounouy khalaat
Bamba, master of the secrets of the universe
Bouléne ko sakal morom,
Teach us the knowledge of the ancestors,
Moro mantéwoul
That has been preserved for generations
Bamba diara yém foko fék fofa la mane
Bamba, you who speak the truth with a clear voice
Bamba weét si bindam
Bamba, you who understand the mysteries
Bamou amé batay guissatou gnou kou mélni momo
Guide us with your wisdom and protect us from harm
Kou nek ngui wakh sa khalaat
You who know the secrets of the universe
Gaalguay diow ba tisbaar, massine ba fardi sab
May the angels bless and protect us,
Soubhana wo bamba di borom milakhwa
Praise be to Bamba, the messenger of God
Fékhlene ba woor, woolonténe
Enlighten us and open our hearts
Sopantalene sama gaayi dimbalentelene
So that we may understand the depth of your teachings
Ah mame bamba, y adiara wolo
Oh Mame Bamba, your voice echoes throughout the world
Mame bamba mofi diouli guéthie sappe kou wétt
Oh Mame Bamba, you who hold the truth and the key to wisdom
Writer(s): cheikh n'diguel lo
Contributed by Thomas R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Flower-ck2bs
Cheik Lo is s treasure. He is original. His voice, the music, the outfit, the performance, everything is so perfect. A special star ⭐️ 🙏🏻🍀☀️
@juanestadian8471
I have been listening to Cheikh Lo for the past 15 years. First heard him on a Rough Guides compilation on African music. I believe he was first on the CD and from the start I was hooked. Senegal is another country with great musicianship just oozing out of its pores
@thenomolos
heard this at least 30000 times. keeps getting better.
@babacardiopfall1998
For real
@poor_fellow2549
I'm telling you!
@djibrilndiaye2754
Music day goore akassa fall music ci bamba dji
@bambasaar5677
Samba fi khalèla❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
@TheNarso
Je le découvre en 2021 cest a dire 24 and plus tard ! Cest un chef-d’œuvre
@sidialmoukhtar5874
Quand jetais gamin je croyais que Cheikh Lo était nul mais c'etait moi qui connaissait rien de la musique .
@davelapolice1278
Ndeysane !!! Artiste plein
Way gua kou diara way nak Dieuredieufaty Cheikh Ahmadou Bamba 👌🏽