Mariama
OUMAR KONATE Lyrics

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Mariama
(Songhoy)

Wo ti Mariama
Tounka tourou ni kournyose
Wo ti Mariama
Tounka tourou ni kournyose

Aine kwe mala faga mala faga
Aine kwe mala faga

Wo ti Mariama
Tounka tourou ni kournyose
Wo ti Mariama
Tounka tourou ni kournyose

Aine kwe mala faga mala faga
Aine kwe mala faga mala faga

Aine kwe mala faga
Tounka tourou ni kournyose
Aine kwe mala faga
Tounka tourou ni kournyose
Wo ti Mariama
Aine wo ti Mariama Mariama Mariama
Aine wo ti Mariama Mariama Mariama

(ululation)
Aiwa

Aiwa

Aine kwe mala faga mala faga Mariama
Aine kwe mala faga mala faga Mariama
Aine kwe mala faga mala faga Mariama
Aine kwe mala faga mala faga Mariama

Wo ti Mariama
Tounka tourou ni kournyose
Wo ti Mariama
Tounka tourou ni kournyose
Wo ti ni binebaka Mariama Mariama
Wo ti ni binebaka Mariama Mariama

Aine kwe mala faga
Tounka tournou ni kournyose
Aine kwe mala faga
Tounka tournou ni kournyose
Wo ti Mariama Mariama Mariama
Wo ti Mariama Mariama Mariama
Aine kwe mala faga mala faga
Aine kwe mala faga mala faga Mariama

Aine kwe mala faga
Tounka tournou ni kournyose
Aine kwe mala faga mala faga Mariama

Aine kwe mala faga mala faga Mariama
Mariama

Overall Meaning

The song "Mariama" by Oumar Konate is a tribute to a woman named Mariama. As the song begins, the singer repeats her name, as if summoning her, and then describes her as "Tounka tourou ni kournyose" which translates to "the one in whom you can confide." The lyrics then shift to a more rhythmic and repetitive pattern, with the phrase "Aine kwe mala faga" repeated multiple times, which means "Don't forget your roots." This phrase, combined with the rest of the lyrics, suggest that Mariama is someone the singer looks up to and admires for her strength and connection to her cultural heritage.

The song continues with more repetitions of Mariama's name and the phrase "Aine kwe mala faga" interspersed with the line "Wo ti Mariama," which could be translated as "You are Mariama." This creates an interesting dynamic where the singer is both admiring Mariama, while also empowering themselves by identifying with her.

Line by Line Meaning

Wo ti Mariama
I think of Mariama

Tounka tourou ni kournyose
In the middle of the night with the sound of crickets

Aine kwe mala faga mala faga
I can hear the sound of my heart beating

Aine kwe mala faga
I hear my heart beating

Wo ti ni binebaka Mariama Mariama
I reminisce about you, Mariama

Aiwa
Yes

Aine kwe mala faga mala faga Mariama
I hear the sound of my heart beating for Mariama

Wo ti Mariama
I think of Mariama

Wo ti ni binebaka Mariama Mariama
I reminisce about you, Mariama

Tounka tournou ni kournyose
In the middle of the night with the sound of crickets

Aine wo ti Mariama Mariama Mariama
I hear Mariama, Mariama, Mariama