Salif Keïta (b. 25 Aug 1949), is an internationally recognized afro-pop sin… Read Full Bio ↴Salif Keïta (b. 25 Aug 1949), is an internationally recognized afro-pop singer-songwriter from Djoliba, Mali. He has a reputation as the 'Golden Voice of Africa', he is also an albino & a descendant of the Mali Empire's founder, Sundiata Keita.

He was outcast by his family & ostracized by the community, because he was an albino - a sign of bad luck in Mandinka culture. In 1967, he left Djoliba for Bamako, where he joined the government sponsored Super Rail Band de Bamako (aka Super Rail Band). In 1973, Keita joined the group Les Ambassadeurs. Keita and Les Ambassadeurs fled political unrest in Mali during the mid-1970s for Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire & changed the group's name to Les Ambassadeurs Internationales. The reputation of Les Ambassadeurs Internationales rose to the international level in the 1970s and in 1977 Keita received a National Order award from the president of Guinea, Sékou Touré.

Keita moved to Paris in 1984 to reach a larger audience. His music combines traditional West African music styles with influences from both Europe and the Americas, while maintaining an overall Islamic style. Musical instruments that are commonly featured in Keita's work include balafon, djembe, guitar, kora, organ, saxophone, and synthesizer.

His latest album, M'Bemba, was released in October 2005.

This 'Bio' is copied from the Salif Keita page. Apparently there is question about the correct spelling of his name (with single or double dotted i).

Bah Poulo
Salif Keïta Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

N′kolé oh, ahan n'kolé, n′yé n'dyanna korö. n'ko
N′kolé oh,
Ahan idjolé, n′ne ni n'djarabini,
N′ne n'mirila wolémaaaa dé ahan sata, bè dyannanmö bèni Bamako
Imatassa, imabönelà, ikana makoooossa
Imatassa, imabönelà, oww kanamakossa cemah
Annh bèni iyarabilé, n′dyannamö, khanataaaa
Oh ibèninn n'baradö, n′né nindjarabini bèni Bamako

Ibourahim bah, ibourahim bah(bah poulo)
Iwoloda mousso min n'a, oww djinalé
à djèdèwolo, mousso ladiiiyéeeee
Ikini matassa, ikini imabönelà, ikana makoossa
Ikini matassa, ikini imabönelà, oww kanamakossa cemah
Annh bèni iyarabilé, n'dyannamö, khanataaaa
Oh ibèninn n′baradö, n′né nindjarabini bèni Bamako
A djèdèwolo, mousso ladi sahh
Toubabou mousso, dakabanan dén bèni Bamako
Tok tok tok tounghi. tok tok tok mon amour.
Tok tok tok n'tan moungnönghi tok tok tok tounghi (bah poulo)
N′djolé wo, ahan n'djolé, n′yé n'dyannan korö, n′djo
N'djolé wo, ahan idjolé, n
'Ne ni n′djarabini, n′ne n'mirila wolomaaaaaa déh
Ahan sata, bèdyannan mö bèni Bamako
Ikini matassa, ikini imabönelà, ikana makoossa
Ikini matassa, ikini imabönelà, oww kanamakossa cemah
Annh bèni iyarabilé, n′dyannamö, n'yé n′mirili ilelemaaaa ténh
Oh ibèninn n'baradö, n′né nindjarabini bèni Bamako
Djèdèwolo, mousso ladi sahh (bah poulo)
Toubabou mousso, dakabanan dén bèni Bamako
Tok tok tok mon amour, tok tok tok n'tan moungnönghi,
Tok tok tok tounghi, tok tok tok tounghi. ikini matassa
Ahan sata, ahan sata, mousso ladiiiiiyéeeee.ooooow labah filè
Ahan sata, ahan sata, mousso ladi sahh
Ooow ouhooo

Tok tok tok ahan sata n'tan moungnönghi...
Whrite by: Steph ISI

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Salif Keita's song Bah Poulo is a mix of different languages including Bambara, Malinke, and Fulani. The song is centered around the story of Bah Poulo, a legendary warrior and leader of the Fulani people in Mali. The song speaks of the beauty of the people and land of Bamako, the capital city of Mali.

The lyrics mention the struggle and fight of Bah Poulo against the Toubabou, or white invaders, who threatened the people and land of Mali. The repetition of the phrase "Ikini matassa, ikini imabönelà, ikana makoossa" seems to symbolize the battle cry of the Fulani people as they fought against their oppressors.

The song also mentions the beauty of the local women, describing them as "mousso ladi sahh" or "beautiful women." The song seems to be a tribute to the bravery and strength of Bah Poulo and the Fulani people, but also to the beauty and uniqueness of their culture and land.

Line by Line Meaning

N′kolé oh, ahan n'kolé, n′yé n'dyanna korö. n'ko
Oh, come on, let's go, I want to dance. Now.

N′kolé oh, Ahan idjolé, n′ne ni n'djarabini, n′ne n'mirila wolémaaaa dé ahan sata, bè dyannanmö bèni Bamako
Come on, let's dance, listen to the rhythm, feel it in your soul. Everyone is dancing in Bamako.

Imatassa, imabönelà, ikana makoooossa
Let's move our bodies, feel the beat and dance.

Annh bèni iyarabilé, n′dyannamö, khanataaaa
People gather to dance every day in Bamako.

Oh ibèninn n'baradö, n′né nindjarabini bèni Bamako
Let's dance, feel the rhythm of Bamako.

Ibourahim bah, ibourahim bah(bah poulo)
Let's dance with Ibourahim Bah, let's dance in a circle.

Iwoloda mousso min n'a, oww djinalé à djèdèwolo, mousso ladiiiyéeeee
The women dance and sing together, everyone is happy in Djedewolo.

Tok tok tok tounghi. tok tok tok mon amour. Tok tok tok n'tan moungnönghi tok tok tok tounghi (bah poulo)
The rhythm of the drums carries us away, my love. Let's dance to the beat of the drums in a circle.

N′djolé wo, ahan n'djolé, n′yé n'dyannan korö, n′djo
Come on, let's dance, I want to move my body now.

Ne ni n′djarabini, n′ne n'mirila wolomaaaaaa déh
Listen to the rhythm, feel its power.

Annh bèni iyarabilé, n′dyannamö, n'yé n′mirili ilelemaaaa ténh
People dance together, feeling the magic of the rhythm.

Djèdèwolo, mousso ladi sahh (bah poulo)
Women dance and sing together in Djedewolo.

Ahan sata, ahan sata, mousso ladiiiiiyéeeee.ooooow labah filè
Let's dance, everyone is happy. We are all together.

Tok tok tok ahan sata n'tan moungnönghi...
The drums keep the rhythm going, let's dance.

Writer(s): Salif Keita

Contributed by Riley W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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