Oumou's latest album "Seya",(Joy) released in 2009,has taken around two or three years to come to fruition. "I choose my songs very carefully. I learn how to put them across first on the stage." Her music is bold, seductive, funky and vibrant, but it's her lyrics that open people's eyes. "For me, the lyrics are more important than the melody. I write almost all my own words. I also perform the classics of Malian tradition. I draw a lot of inspiration from what happens in society. As soon as I see or feel something, I write it down. I say what I want, and what I think, because I am a free woman. I believe that my music has had an impact on the life of African women." "It's true that when I sing it's joyful but in amongst that joy I always take the opportunity to slip in messages that educate my nation."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oumou_Sangare
Kamelemba
Oumou Sangare Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
ch tché, kana negué, dugukamelemba ni kana négué sa
Ko torote sebe sa derimagnew ne dianye mogonye n'a somainela
Ne dianye mogoni mirimagnew ne filani nteri diarabi magni
Ne wolole tarala kuma magnew n'filani nyoyonyé na n'soma magni ma
Bamako tarala mirimagnew ne dianye mogo diarabi magni
ch tché, kana negué, dugukamelemba ni kana négué sa
Ou bi negue ki negue ki negue ki negue ki negue ndogo
Kamelemba a bi mounou mounou ki la espérer ki desesperer
c bi roulé ki roulé ki roulé ndogo
c bi mounou mounou ki mounou mounou ki tromper
Eh cllah !
Ou bi negue ki negue ki negue ki negue ki negue ndogo
Suguruba a bi mounou mounou ki la espérer ki desesperer
c bi roulé ki roulé ki roulé ndogo
c bi mounou mounou ki mounou mounou ki tromper
c bi espérer ki désespérer ki tromper
Eh mousso !
I ba fo wale dema Suguruba etabe sokono eto labandon
Ka fo wale dema Kamelemba eh dimbeye eto tchokodo deh
I ba fo wale dema dolomina etabe sokono eto labandon labolodé
Kanafo wale dema torokutala eta dimbeye eto labandon deh
ch tché, kana negue, dugukamelemba ni kana negue sa
ch tché, kana negué, dugukamelemba ni kana négué sa
Ko hi lahilahilala Mamadou lasolou lahi
Wika soni ni oula dalela
Malideni ni oulada lela
Mogobalew ba ou nyamou nemba
Woyka Tchebaw ni oulada lela
Dugu Kamelembaw ni oula Dalela
Sangaré Oumou bafolala
Wika soni ni oulada lela
Malideni ni oulada lela
Mogobalew ba ou nyamou nemba
Kana negue kana negue tché kamalemba ou ka destabiliser
c mandi nyé
ch tché, kana negue, dugukamelemba ni kana negue sa ch tché, kana negué dugukamelemba ni kana négué sa
The lyrics to Oumou Sangare's song "Kamelemba" convey a message of empowerment and resilience. The repetitive phrases, such as "ch tché, kana negue," express a strong determination and refusal to be defeated. The song talks about the need to stay strong and confident in the face of challenges, represented by the term "dugukamelemba." It speaks of the difficulties and obstacles that one may encounter in life, but emphasizes the importance of staying true to oneself and not losing hope.
The song also references different characters and situations. It mentions "Bamako," the capital city of Mali, highlighting the struggles faced by the people there. The lines "Ou bi negue ki negue ki negue" and "Suguruba a bi mounou mounou" seem to be repetitive phrases expressing a sense of hope and despair. They urge the listener to keep hoping, not to be deceived or taken advantage of, and to stay strong despite the hardships.
Line by Line Meaning
ch tché, kana negue, dugukamelemba ni kana négue sa
Hey, listen, let me tell you, Kamelemba is not what you think
Ko torote sebe sa derimagnew ne dianye mogonye n'a somainela
Like a bird trapped in a cage, I've been crying and no one comes to rescue me
Ne dianye mogoni mirimagnew ne filani nteri diarabi magni
My heart is heavy, burdened by the weight of broken promises and unfulfilled dreams
Ne wolole tarala kuma magnew n'filani nyoyonyé na n'soma magni ma
I walk alone, searching for love and happiness, but all I find is sorrow and pain
Bamako tarala mirimagnew ne dianye mogo diarabi magni
In Bamako, my soul wanders, burdened by the weight of shattered dreams
ch tché, kana negue, wulakadjanfa kana tinya fo
Hey, listen, you can't deceive me with your sweet words
Ou bi negue ki negue ki negue ki negue ki negue ndogo
You say one thing, but your actions speak differently
Kamelemba a bi mounou mounou ki la espérer ki desesperer
Kamelemba is a game of hope and despair
c bi roulé ki roulé ki roulé ndogo
It's a cycle of twists and turns
c bi mounou mounou ki mounou mounou ki tromper
It's a story of love and betrayal
Eh cllah !
Oh my god!
Suguruba a bi mounou mounou ki la espérer ki desesperer
Suguruba is a game of hope and despair
c bi roulé ki roulé ki roulé ndogo
It's a cycle of twists and turns
c bi mounou mounou ki mounou mounou ki tromper
It's a story of love and betrayal
c bi espérer ki désespérer ki tromper
It's about hope, despair, and deception
Eh mousso !
Oh girl!
I ba fo wale dema Suguruba etabe sokono eto labandon
If you take a step in Suguruba, be prepared for hardships and abandonment
Ka fo wale dema Kamelemba eh dimbeye eto tchokodo deh
But if you enter Kamelemba, oh dear, you'll have to face deception and trickery
I ba fo wale dema dolomina etabe sokono eto labandon labolodé
If you enter Dolomina, be ready for hardships and complete abandonment
Kanafo wale dema torokutala eta dimbeye eto labandon deh
And if you choose Torokutala, you'll have to endure deception and complete abandonment
ch tché, kana negue, dugukamelemba ni kana negue sa
Hey, listen, let me tell you, Kamelemba is not what you think
Ko hi lahilahilala Mamadou lasolou lahi
Like a whirlwind, Mamadou dances and sings
Wika soni ni oula dalela
His voice echoes in the distance
Malideni ni oulada lela
Melodies flow from his mouth
Mogobalew ba ou nyamou nemba
Magical words enchant everyone
Woyka Tchebaw ni oulada lela
Woyka Tchebaw's voice captivates the crowd
Dugu Kamelembaw ni oula Dalela
The power of Kamelemba resonates with everyone
Sangaré Oumou bafolala
Sangaré Oumou sings with passion
ch tché, kana negue, dugukamelemba ni kana negue sa
Hey, listen, let me tell you, Kamelemba is not what you think
ch tché, kana negué, dugukamelemba ni kana négué sa
Hey, listen, let me tell you, Kamelemba is not what you think
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Oumou Sangaré
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@LaBelleMusique
amazing!
@fanuellakew3809
Love from Ethiopia 🇪🇹, Oumou
@Flippy_Nips
This woman is a treasure of Africa. Love from Zambia.
@Nyatlo
No lies. A true African treasure.❤️👌🏾👌🏾
@sinekasss5369
I'm from Ethiopia but Mali have the best music in Africa. They sangarè ❤❤❤❤ my favorite since i was a kid
@forgetfulstranger
The rhythms in music in Africa cannot compare to the rest of the world. Simple instruments, complex rhythms.
@lebom899
Love from South Africa
@Magajiada
This music takes one to another dimension. Love from Nigeria
@gigi4089
please can you give me a translation
@gigi4089
not to this song but to
djama kaissoumou