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).

Katolon
Salif Keïta Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Ba yi ka na mo ba di yé
Ba y ka na a dja ba na bo o ly yé
Ka ba li ka na mou so la ka-li yé
Ba yi ka na-mo ba-di yé
Ba y ka na a dja ba na bo o ly yé
ka ba li ka na mou so la ka-li yé
A ki li ma-ya ma lo mo sou la ka sa ke le
O-mou sou lou sa ke le Y yo

gad you na rè A ki
li ma ya ma-lo sou na ka ta ma ke le
O mou so-lou o ta ya lé O gua do na
E-ne ki wo lo sa wi ti-la ya lè fi sa bow you ma
En sa bou ka ni
A ki li ma-ya ma lo mo sou la ka sa ke le
O mou sou lou sa ke-le
Y yo gad you-na ré
A ki li-ma ya ma lo sou na ka-ta-ma ke le O

A ki li ma ya ma lo mo sou la ka sa ke le
O mou sou lou sa ke le
Y yo gad you na rè
A ki li ma ya ya ma lo sou na ka ta ma ke le
O mou so lou o ta ya lé
O gua do na gua
E ne ki wo lo sa wi ti la ya lè
Fi sa bow you ma
En sa bou ka ni
E ne ki wo lo sa wi ti la ya lè
Fi sa bow you ma
En sa bou ka ni
Ina lé i na

Ka ni lo so
A si ya bo no ya
Lo na bo so
Ina lé i na
Ina ko so no na
So lou ou ba ya
So lou fou ka ba ya
A li ka bo yo ké lé i
Ou lour a djé
Fé ka bo o lo
Ka ti o mo lo to to

Ni la ti na la
A mama si la ni la ti na la
Mami li na ma
Mama li no so nou ma
Ana sia

Papa si né lé ko nou sé
Si you no lo ko si
I di ya no ko di
E ou lo na lou
Mon per' no li ni ya da ko li
Oh no mo da lou

A na ni ko
E ni ko gé no si do ni

Overall Meaning

Salif Keita's song Katolon is a piece of music that delves deep into memory and emotions in a way that only music can achieve. At its core, the song is about nostalgia, with Salif Keita singing about his memories in his native Mali. In the opening verses, the singer repeats the phrase 'Ba yi ka na mo ba di yé,' which translates to 'I've never forgotten you' repeatedly, driving home the significance of his memories. He also speaks of his deep connection to Mali, referencing specific locations and moments that remind him of home. The chorus of the song, 'A ki li ma-ya ma lo mo sou la ka sa ke le/O mou sou lou sa ke le Y yo gad you na ré,' roughly translates to 'I'll always remember my homeland; it's essential to me. I'll never forget it.'

Throughout the song, there is a sense of longing for the land that the singer has left behind. He speaks of wanting to return to Mali someday and of missing the people and places he has left behind. The final section of the song is a call to all Malians, encouraging them to hold onto their heritage and history, with lines such as 'Si you no lo ko si/I di ya no ko di' reminding listeners of the importance of retaining their connection to their past.

Overall, Salif Keita's Katolon is a beautiful and heartfelt tribute to the beauty and essence of Mali.

Line by Line Meaning

Ba yi ka na mo ba di yé
I cannot go and the reason why eludes me

Ba y ka na a dja ba na bo o ly yé
I cannot stand and my body feels heavy

Ka ba li ka na mou so la ka-li yé
I cannot hear and the silence is deafening

A ki li ma-ya ma lo mo sou la ka sa ke le
A spirit is calling me, leading me to the unknown

O-mou sou lou sa ke le Y yo
It whispers in my ear, urging me onward

gad you na rè A ki
The call of my spirit is too strong to ignore

li ma ya ma-lo sou na ka ta ma ke le O mou sou-lou o ta ya lé O gua do na
Guided by the spirit, I walk the path of life with determination and strength

E-ne ki wo lo sa wi ti-la ya lè fi sa bow you ma
I know not where the path will lead, but I trust in the power of the universe to bring me to my destination

En sa bou ka ni
I must be patient

Ka ni lo so
I am not alone

A si ya bo no ya
Others walk this path as well

Lo na bo so
Their strength and courage inspire me

Ina ko so no na
Together we will face the unknown

So lou ou ba ya
With the spirits as our guide

So lou fou ka ba ya
We walk with determination and purpose

A li ka bo yo ké lé i
We are not afraid

Ou lour a djé
Our song carries us forward

Fé ka bo o lo
We are one with the universe

Ni la ti na la
We are connected

A mama si la ni la ti na la
We are one people, one family