Boloko
Fatoumata Diawara Lyrics
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Aw kan'a tigè farikolo min bè n'kè muso ye u y'a bò n'na
I dun mana sunguruni min sigi bi
I b'a ka cèko gèlèya a bolo
I b'a ka bana misèn caya x2
Uhun Mama, Mama, i kana n'boloko kana n'boloko a bè n'diminna
Hee n'Baba, n'Baba, n'k'i kana n'boloko kana n'boloko a bè n'diminna
U y'a tiguèèhèèè
Ni ye olu boloko I b'u ka cèko gèlèya
I b'u ka denko gèlèya
I b'u ka bana misèn caya
A bè n'dimin!
A bè n'dimin!
A bè n'dimin!
An kana olu boloko
A bè n'dimin!
A bè n'dimin!
Farafina musow nyanina
Farafina musow tòoròla
A bè n'dimin!
An k'an ka ko kòròw lajè ni min manyi an k'o bò an bolo la
A bè n'dimin!
An k'an ka ko kòròw lajè ni min kanyi an k'o fara an bolo kan
A bè n'dimin!
Farafina musow nyanina
Farafina musow tòoròla
A bè n'dimin!
A bè n'dimin!
A bè n'dimin!
Mamaaaa
The lyrics of Fatoumata Diawara's song Boloko speak to the deeply rooted issue of female genital mutilation (FGM) and the need to put an end to it. The singer begins by pleading with mothers and fathers to put an end to FGM, asking them to stop making their daughters suffer through this painful procedure. She uses the Malinké language to appeal to people's emotions and to express a sense of urgency regarding the matter. She also highlights the long-term physical and psychological effects of FGM, which include pain, infections, and trauma.
The song delves deeper into the cultural and traditional justifications for FGM, using the example of the Mandinka culture in Mali, which practices FGM as an initiation and rite of passage for girls. The singer challenges these cultural norms and customs, urging people to abandon them and embrace a new way of thinking that recognizes the harmful effects of FGM. She also invokes the power of music to convey this message, calling on the diverse ethnic and cultural groups in Mali to unite and stand against FGM.
Overall, Boloko is a powerful and emotional song that highlights the need to eradicate FGM and embrace a new way of thinking that promotes the rights of women and girls. It is a call to action that aims to raise awareness about the issue and encourage people to be agents of change in their communities.
Line by Line Meaning
U y'a tigè farikolo min bè n'kè muso ye u y'a bò n'na
In the village of Farikolo, there is a woman named Bè N'Kè Muso, and she is doing well
Aw kan'a tigè farikolo min bè n'kè muso ye u y'a bò n'na
And everyone in the village of Farikolo loves and respects her
I dun mana sunguruni min sigi bi
I have traveled far and wide across the land
I b'a ka cèko gèlèya a bolo
And I have seen many things that I cannot explain
I b'a ka bana misèn caya x2
And I have witnessed the pain of many people
Uhun Mama, Mama, i kana n'boloko kana n'boloko a bè n'diminna
Oh Mama, Mama, you know we must say no, we must say no to this practice of female genital cutting
Hee n'Baba, n'Baba, n'k'i kana n'boloko kana n'boloko a bè n'diminna
Oh Baba, Baba, you too must say no, we must say no to this practice of female genital cutting
U y'a tiguèèhèèè
Because it is time
Arrêtez l'excision, Mama
Stop the cutting, Mama
Ni ye olu boloko I b'u ka cèko gèlèya
No more, we cannot continue to allow this pain
I b'u ka denko gèlèya
We must embrace each other with love
A bè n'dimin!
Say no!
An kana olu boloko
Let's end this practice of female genital cutting
Farafina musow nyanina
The daughters of Africa are strong
Farafina musow tòoròla
The daughters of Africa are brave
A bè n'dimin!
Say no!
An k'an ka ko kòròw lajè ni min manyi an k'o bò an bolo la
Let's unite and work together to end this pain and suffering
A bè n'dimin!
Say no!
An k'an ka ko kòròw lajè ni min kanyi an k'o fara an bolo kan
Let's unite and work together to create a brighter future for our children
Farafina musow nyanina
The daughters of Africa are strong
Farafina musow tòoròla
The daughters of Africa are brave
A bè n'dimin!
Say no!
Mamaaaa
Mama
Writer(s): FATOUMATA DIAWARA
Contributed by Brooklyn Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Lily
This important song is about female circumcision. Lyrics translated:
They cut the flower that made me a woman
Don’t cut the flower that makes me a woman
If you circumcise girls
You will make their intimate moments difficult
They will always have health problems
I beg you mother,
don’t make them circumcise me, it hurts so much!
I beg you father,
don’t make them circumcise me, it hurts so much!
They cut it…
Mother, stop female circumcision!
If you circumcise girls
You will make their intimate moments difficult
They will always have problems with childbirth
They will always have health problems
It hurts so much!
It hurts so much!
It hurts so much!
Don’t circumcise girls
It hurts so much!
It hurts so much!
African women live through too much hell
African women live through too much suffering
It hurts so much!
We should look again at our ancestral beliefs and assess them
It hurts so much!
Keep what is good for us, and reject all that harms us
It hurts so much!
African women live through too much hell
African women live through too much suffering
It hurts so much!
It hurts so much!
It hurts so much!
Mother…
Thapelo Lehasa
Surely one of Mali's VERY BEST singers. Great musician with charming personality and melodical voice. She helps to herald Malians as Africa's best when it comes to indigenous music. Bambara / Bamananka and Malinke beautiful musical languages. My favourite tracks from this album (FATOU) is BOLOKO (luv the NGONI on this song), SOKOLON and CLANDISTINE. Hoping to see her perform live, one day. Thapelo Lehasa, Joburg South Africa
Gerard de lang
Dear Thapela thank you I couldn't agree more. Do you know Genesisi Endlu Nkulu ? I have looked online but never found much of them. What I have is from a compilation of Zulu gospel choirs. If you have anything by them could you post it here? Fatou is wonderful and Genesisi are equally if differently so. Thank you God bless Africa and you
West Coast Adventurers
<3
Stefanos G
THANK YOU FATOUMATA FOR YOUR GREAT SPIRIT AND BEAUTIFUL MUSIC. YOUR VOICE IS MEDICINE FOR OUR HEARTS. STAY BLESSED !!!!
eat the flow
Mervelous and strong soul, woman, sister
Deep lyrics that speaks about the reality of beautiful but also disperate Africa and his people
God bless you and your voice and the message that you put in it
Your voice speak for the souls and came for the soul
From Italy ❤️
vaudescal herve
superbe voix , superbe musique , belle mélodie ! un ravissement pour les oreilles ! wa que c est beau ! bravo
hlvas
This song travels you to calm and distant places, where I would like to be right now!
Bill Moylan
Africa - dream songs - lived in Africa for many years. Close my eyes dream of Africa...
Richard D
Gorillaz brought me here, what a wonderful musician <3 Hope to discover many more African musicians in the future
Gerard de lang
Baaba Maal, Tenariwen, Fatala, Genesisi Endlu Nkulu, Salimata Sidibe; limitless undying love to africa