Mama
Salif Keïta Lyrics


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Mama

(Refrain)
Han Mamalé hé na Mama han sona mousso mansa
Allah bara moussoya ro bin i ma douba djabi

Mogo gnouman té kè mogo djoukou di hé ni ko ma kè
Ni kèra sima di
Hio i na fo i wolodéni yé
Mogo djoukou té kè mogo gnouman di hé ni ko ma kè
Ni kèra sima di
É ya fo i wolodéni yé
Né di mou fo Mama sima yé ko na Mamalé
Ni laban kèra kèla siki di allah bara moussoya ro bin i ma douba djabi

Ni doun wili la sogomadala ké wato wayi kè sogomada fo
Do wèrè té fola a na fo a yé soko kèkè ko
Ni doun wili la sogomadala ké wato somono kè sogomada fo
Do wèrè té fola a na fo a yé djèkè kènè ko
Filakè sikilén sogomadala missi biri la
i mano kono ona fo éyé nono kènè ko
Ni doun wili la fitiridafè ké wato alimami wouladala fo
Do wèrè té fola a na fo a yé dowaou ko ro
Bi mô té fin fin ko toun bi mô té mogo gnèlén fè
Mama sona kani bila ko mo kouma ko
(Au refrain)

Nalou wilila balaou kouma na i don kotè i da makoun
Kini ta balaou kouma fè nité ko were gninina
Fourou gno lanayalé
Nalou wilila fourou sa koro i don kotè i da makoun
Nidoun tè magoba kan fo ni tè ko wèrè gnini
Fourou gno lanayalé

(2fois)
Ko do bin na ma i diyana ko tè
Ko do bin né ma diyana ko tè
Ko ko bin na ma o bin né allah lé ma

Fourou gno lanayalé (lanayalé lanayalé)
Hé lanayalé (lanayalé lanayalé)
Hé lanayalé (lanayalé lanayalé)
Hé lanayalé (lanayalé ohé lanayalé)

(2fois)
Ko do bin na ma i diyana ko tè




Ko do bin né ma diyana ko tè
Ko ko bin na ma o bin né allah lé ma

Overall Meaning

Salif Keita’s song “Mama” is a heartfelt tribute to his mother and the unbreakable bond between them. The lyrics express the love and respect that Keita has for his mother, who is referred to as a “mousso mansa,” which is a term that means “queen of women” in the Bambara language. Keita describes how their relationship is built on mutual understanding and support, as he acknowledges the sacrifices his mother made for him and the role she played in shaping his life.


The refrain repeated throughout the song translates to “Mama, my mother, let no one come between us. Allah bless you always.” Keita acknowledges the importance of his mother in his life, stating that she is the only one who knows his true self and that he will always turn to her for guidance and support. The song also speaks to the broader theme of motherhood and the importance of maternal love and support in families and communities.


Overall, “Mama” is a powerful song that speaks to the universal experience of the love between a mother and child. The lyrics are filled with deep emotion and gratitude, reminding listeners of the important role that mothers play in our lives.


Line by Line Meaning

Han Mamalé hé na Mama han sona mousso mansa
Oh Mamale, here is Mama, she who knows everything, wise woman


Allah bara moussoya ro bin i ma douba djabi
God made her a saint, and her words are true


Mogo gnouman té kè mogo djoukou di hé ni ko ma kè
The child isn't born and knows nothing, it's the mother who teaches them everything


Ni kèra sima di
She shows them the right path


Hio i na fo i wolodéni yé
She shapes them and brings them up


Mogo djoukou té kè mogo gnouman di hé ni ko ma kè
The mother who instructs is wiser than the one being taught


É ya fo i wolodéni yé
She makes them grow and thrive


Né di mou fo Mama sima yé ko na Mamalé
If the mother isn't there, Mamale would be the substitute


Ni laban kèra kèla siki di allah bara moussoya ro bin i ma douba djabi
And Her Actions are pure and truthful, God made her a saint, and her words are true


Ni doun wili la sogomadala ké wato wayi kè sogomada fo
Free yourself, leave your past behind and move on


Do wèrè té fola a na fo a yé soko kèkè ko
Don't insist on following a path that doesn't lead you anywhere


Ni doun wili la sogomadala ké wato somono kè sogomada fo
Free yourself, leave your old life behind and move on


Do wèrè té fola a na fo a yé djèkè kènè ko
Don't try to change things that can't be changed


Filakè sikilén sogomadala missi biri la
Unlock yourself from the chains of the past and be free


i mano kono ona fo éyé nono kènè ko
Don't let your soul and your spirit be defeated


Ni doun wili la fitiridafè ké wato alimami wouladala fo
Free yourself, leave your old beliefs behind and move on


Do wèrè té fola a na fo a yé dowaou ko ro
Don't be afraid of the unknown


Bi mô té fin fin ko toun bi mô té mogo gnèlén fè
In life, we mustn't put our trust in anyone, but we must be wise


Mama sona kani bila ko mo kouma ko
Mama knows everything and has a solution for everything


Nalou wilila balaou kouma na i don kotè i da makoun
Like a bird that flies high, we must aim for great heights


Kini ta balaou kouma fè nité ko were gninina
We must be confident in ourselves and not be intimidated by others


Fourou gno lanayalé
The journey will be long


Nidoun tè magoba kan fo ni tè ko wèrè gnini
We will encounter many obstacles, but we must stay resilient


Ko do bin na ma i diyana ko tè
You were born with a purpose


Ko do bin né ma diyana ko tè
You were born to fulfill that purpose


Ko ko bin na ma o bin né allah lé ma
You were created by God and He has a plan for you


Hé lanayalé (lanayalé lanayalé)
The journey will be long


Ko do bin na ma i diyana ko tè
You were born with a purpose


Ko do bin né ma diyana ko tè
You were born to fulfill that purpose


Ko ko bin na ma o bin né allah lé ma
You were created by God and He has a plan for you




Contributed by Ian V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

Victor Mendy

Sans oublier nos chères mamans qui ont aussi répondu à l'appel de Dieu, Paix à leurs âmes ,que leurs âmes se reposent en paix. Bonne fête de toussaint à toutes et à tous

Mafoudia Touré

Qui écoute encore en 2021 j'adore trop ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤😭🥰🥰🤩🙏🙏🙏

🇲🇱MaliRap100%

Mach'Allah 🤲🏾 pour tous ceux qui verront ce poste

jean pierre verstraeter

Sublime du pur keita
2022 jsuis aux mali
Senegale villages burkina fasso
Bénin et le grand niger
Mali jsuis as kalaba kora
Le bonjour a salif keita et ses
Musiciens et danseuses à paris
L ecoute 3 foi par jour

Kia🇲🇱🖤

Always on replay!!!!!❤❤❤❤

Senzekile Mthembu

I love this song but I only understand one word MAMA ❤❤❤

Momo Fashion

Senzy Mthembu it Mandingo love it ❤️

Domynyk Brandji

He dedicate this song to his daughter MAMA to give her advice about life and marriage

carlos soares

Maravilhoso. Conheci escutando a música À primeira vista de Chico César

Fatou Diallo

Muito bom a música 😍

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