In between N'Diaye's two ancestral homes lies the sliver-like nation of Gambia and the Senegal Wolof majority with its center in the crowded, frenetic capital Dakar. Since childhood, N'Diaye has faced the complex task of balancing all of these cultural realities. As a boy, he sold cola nuts in Dakar's Thiaroye market. But he went on to study economics at Cheikh Anta Diop University. Ultimately, it became clear that arts were his true calling, and in addition to his musical career, he went on to act in two important films: "Camp de Thiaroye" and "Guelwar" by the celebrated Senegalese filmmaker Ousmane Sembène.
Senegal's El Hadj N'Diaye has created a new style somewhere between protest songs and traditional music. Accompanying himself on guitar and harmonica, he sings about the ravages of urbanization, AIDS, street peddlers and the skin-bleaching creams that young girls use. His songs focus on the burning issues of the day with the help of metaphors and proverbs from the Senegalese oral tradition. —Courtesy Calabash Music
Xel
El Hadj N'Diaye Lyrics
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Yëngu yëngu danel ne guy wele
Sëlëx sul ne kan wele
Degg lu degg lu war la ce
Genn xalat nax ne aduna
Am sa lal lu bax le ci
Nax sa dolle tëcu ngi ci
Yagg dindi na tuma yëlle yëlle yëllé
Aduna aduna Ama aduna li du neegu nara
Xin lax na jant bi, xam sa waru gar jëf jël ngi ci
Yem fu mu leere lu bax le ci
Jamono ngi ni jamono jamono nge jamono ngi ni...
Pecum liir su neexe ndeey jë teew ne
Teyye ne mbagg ye
Xarum waay
Gainde waay eï...
Luy tëpp dal ci taal dessene ap jeggo
Wolof Nnjaay ne në me lile woor na, lile woor na
Lile leer na ma
Assaman yaa ne bëtt du ci buxante
Yallah maay bëtt jam
Te bëtt
Fu ko neex lay xool
Xarum waay
Gainde waay eï...
Xin lax ne jant bi ey waay nu dem
Xin lax ne jant bi ey waay nu wey
Xin lax ne jant bi ey waay nu dem (ter)
(Ter)
Xin lax ne jant bi
Demal demal demal
Xin lax ne jant bi ku demul ma dem
Xin lax ne jant bi ey waay nu dem (bis)
Ah! Ah! ...Xel lu bax la ci,
Aduna, suma xel, suma xol, sumaï xalaat
Ah! Ah! ...Il est bon de réfléchir,
The song "Xel" by El Hadj N'Diaye is a powerful piece about reflection and the importance of understanding oneself in the world. The chorus, "Xel Xalat ne lu xoll yëgul," translates to "It is good to reflect, to be in tune with oneself." The lyrics urge the listener to take a step back and evaluate their life, relationships, and place in society. The first verse references a person who is lost and struggling, "Sëlëx sul ne kan wele, Degg lu degg lu war la ce," before encouraging self-discovery and understanding by recognizing one's own emotions ("Am sa lal lu bax le ci") and responding accordingly.
The second verse references the concept of "jamono," or one's destiny, and the importance of recognizing and accepting it. The use of "Xarum waay, Gainde waay eï" underscores this idea, as it translates to "This is our path, this is our life." The lyrics encourage the listener to have faith in their journey and the ultimate plan that fate has in store for them. The repetition of "Xin lax ne jant bi" in the bridge emphasizes the need for introspection and self-awareness.
Overall, "Xel" is a powerful message about taking the time to examine oneself and the world around them, ultimately leading to a greater understanding of one's place in society and the importance of fate.
Line by Line Meaning
Xel Xalat ne lu xoll yëgul
Thinking and reflecting is necessary
Yëngu yëngu danel ne guy wele
Slowly and gradually, fear is overcome
Sëlëx sul ne kan wele
Patience helps to overcome obstacles
Degg lu degg lu war la ce
One step after another wins the race
Genn xalat nax ne aduna
Reflecting on oneself is important to progress
Am sa lal lu bax le ci
Speaking up for oneself is necessary
Nax sa dolle tëcu ngi ci
Better to face the truth than live a lie
Yagg dindi na tuma yëlle yëlle yëllé
The truth will prevail in the end
Aduna aduna Ama aduna li du neegu nara
Life is challenging but one can overcome it
Xin lax na jant bi, xam sa waru gar jëf jël ngi ci
We must share burdens with loved ones
Yem fu mu leere lu bax le ci
We must stand up for ourselves
Jamono ngi ni jamono jamono nge jamono ngi ni...
We are all the same and must support each other
Pecum liir su neexe ndeey jë teew ne
Greed is not helpful and hard work will pay off
Teyye ne mbagg ye
We must live in harmony with nature
Xarum waay
We must be patient
Gainde waay eï...
We must have faith
Luy tëpp dal ci taal dessene ap jeggo
We must respect each other and our customs
Wolof Nnjaay ne në me lile woor na, lile woor na
God watches over us
Lile leer na ma
And guides us
Assaman yaa ne bëtt du ci buxante
We must aim for progress
Yallah maay bëtt jam
God helps those who help themselves
Te bëtt
And so we must strive
Fu ko neex lay xool
Ignoring the truth won't make it go away
Xin lax ne jant bi ey waay nu dem
We must lend a hand to those in need
Ah! Ah! ...Xel lu bax la ci,
Reflecting and thinking is good for us
Aduna, suma xel, suma xol, sumaï xalaat
Life is about thinking, staying calm and being patient
Ah! Ah! ...Il est bon de réfléchir,
It's good to take time to think and reflect
Contributed by Amelia G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@elhadjijoegueye5334
Qui regarde encore en Juin 2020 12h15mn.😍😍😍😍
@lamineassefediallo2
Grand Elhadji, tu es une fierté de yaraakh. Tu fais parti de ces natifs de yaraakh dont nous sommes fiers. Tout à débuter à yaraakh. Machala.
@Ataka_Lasid
Cette musique est remplie d’émotions et plus personnellement de nostalgie puisque c’est une des musiques qui a bercé mon enfance grâce à mon père qui a su me faire écouter cet artiste, merci 🙏
@sowabdouaziz7679
Le meilleur ❤
@cheykhndom2678
yaye nanan dh bilahi khale bou ndaw la machallah ms yaw baba maal orchestre baobab de dakar cesaria evora salif kt youssou ndour ami kouyate machallah yallah nalen fi brom bi bayi basi kanam amine
@babacarndiaye4145
Elh Ndiaye l un des meilleurs chanteurs senegalais
@ndeyemarone3525
Deuil ♡♡♡ est grand yala ne sey mone torhe
@lMaya832
2122 vues et les 2100 c est seulement moi oooohh h24 a ecouter cette chanson trop epoustouflanteeeeeeeeeee troooop enorme XEL <3 <3 <3 sois beni Elhadj Ndiaye le noble …
@elhadjndiaye908
:-)
@sdn6319
Amine yarabi machallah ils es fort vraiment thieuy Ndiaye Elhadji sei veramente un grande..Serge..