Bakonoba
Fatoumata Diawara Lyrics
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(Bambara)
An b'an da don kumala
An kana da don kuma bèe la
An b'an da don kumala
An kana da don kuma dòw la
Nin kèra cènin dò ye dumuniba kè kun kad'a ye
N'a ye suman min tèmètò ye, fo ale ko dò dun
N'a ye dumuni tèmètò ye, fo ale ko nènèèhen
A bòla muso de kò sa, a taara ni muso y'a ka so
Denminsènw nyè dal'a kan
Olu bèe ko a ma
Olu bèe kulela
Bakònòba
U ko a ma babakònòba ye baba x4
Nin kèra cènin dò ye dumuni bakè kun kad'a ye
N'a ye suman min tèmètò ye, fo ale ko dò dun
N'a ye dumuni tèmètò ye, fo ale ko nènèè
x 2
The song "Bakonoba" by Fatoumata Diawara is sung in the Bambara language and the lyrics talk about humility, respect for others and love. The first few lines "An b'an da don kumala / An kana da don kuma bèe la" roughly translate to "Let's humble ourselves / Let's respect each other". The song then goes on to talk about how we should be humble towards our ancestors and how we should not forget who we are and where we come from.
The chorus of the song "Bakonoba / U ko a ma babakonoba ye baba" translates to "I am Bakonoba's child" and is a reference to the village of Bakonoba in Mali. The song talks about how the people of Bakonoba are known for their humility and how it is important to carry on this legacy. The song also talks about how we should respect our elders and how their wisdom and knowledge is invaluable.
Overall, the song is a beautiful tribute to the values of humility, respect and love. It reminds us of the importance of staying connected to our roots and respecting those who came before us.
Line by Line Meaning
An b'an da don kumala
I offered myself to you
An kana da don kuma bèe la
I spoke to you with good intentions
An b'an da don kumala
I offered myself to you
An kana da don kuma dòw la
I spoke to you with love
An k'an da bò kuma dòw la
I received no love in return
Nin kèra cènin dò ye dumuniba kè kun kad'a ye
My heart is open like the window of a house, look and see it for yourself
N'a ye suman min tèmètò ye, fo ale ko dò dun
What I'm saying is true, but you're not listening
N'a ye dumuni tèmètò ye, fo ale ko nènèèhen
What I'm doing is good, but you're not seeing it
A bòla muso de kò sa, a taara ni muso y'a ka so
You can't dance without moving your feet, you can't play music without listening
Denminsènw nyè dal'a kan
The world is not a deaf person's ear
Olu bèe ko a ma
I don't make noise, but I exist
Olu bèe kulela
I don't shout, but I'm heard
Bakònòba
The one who never gets tired
U ko a ma babakònòba ye baba x4
I am the child of the one who never gets tired
Nin kèra cènin dò ye dumuni bakè kun kad'a ye
My soul is open like the door of a house, come and see it for yourself
Writer(s): Fatoumata Diawara
Contributed by Benjamin I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@mbruflodt
3. Bakonoba
( Bambara )
An b’an da don kumala
An kana da don kuma bèe la
An b’an da don kumala
An kana da don kuma dòw la
An k’an da bò kuma dòw la
Nin kèra cènin dò ye dumuniba kè kun kad’a ye
N’a ye suman min tèmètò ye, fo ale ko dò dun
N’a ye dumuni tèmètò ye, fo ale ko nènèèhen
A bòla muso de kò sa, a taara ni muso y’a ka so
Chorus
Denminsènw nyè dal’a kan
Olu bèe ko a ma
Olu bèe kulela
Bakònòba
U ko a ma babakònòba ye baba x4
Nin kèra cènin dò ye dumuni bakè kun kad’a ye
N’a ye suman min tèmètò ye, fo ale ko dò dun
N’a ye dumuni tèmètò ye, fo ale ko nènèè
Chorus x 2
( English )
We often allow ourselves to say things
We shouldn’t always speak out
We often say things…
About things that don’t concern us
We should sometimes avoid speaking
There was once a man who loved to eat
Every dish he saw, he wanted some to eat
As soon as he saw food he was tempted to taste it
He fell in love with a girl and brought her to his village
Chorus
When the children saw him
They all shouted
Calling him:
Mr Big Belly!
They called him Bakonoba! Mr Big Belly!
Chorus x2
Fatoumata Diawara – vocals/guitar
Moh Kouyate – electric guitar
Seb Rochford – drums
Sola Akingbola – percussion
Hilaire Penda– bass
@husharO
I love how she smiles and dances when she sings. You can tell she's enjoying herself :) Brings a smile on my face listening to this.
@Grateful4Today
she's a beautiful positive lay back soul, lover her too
@alisondunn6544
She's like the sun. Such a bright light. Beautiful soul. Her voice and spirit is full of love. Amazing woman! ;)
@GjaP_242
2:43
@GjaP_242
'body and soul'
@GjaP_242
3:03
@MartyredxMaiden
Rarely do I fall in LOVE with an artist "at first song". But with Fatoumata Diawara I did. And that song was "Bissa". Absolutely perfect. I keep liking each new song I hear. Wow
@atgunchev
Exactly the same happened to me, in the same order too :)
@JM-xh8mu
I fell in love with Fatoumata's smile & voice 5-6 years ago when she sang together with the other great singer from Mali Oumou Sangare in Herbie Hancok's Imagine. Ever since I've been searching her songs like crazy. She is impossible to resist :)
@ira1843
I TOO