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).
Seydou
Salif Keïta Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Allah nôlé woyi
Allah lé fama allah lé dalimassan, allah sa menfou
Allah nôlé
Allah nôlé oooh
Allah lé fama allah lé dalimassan, allah makoté
Komatessi yé fini mi danla kokan fêrobô, Seydou toro
karala
Bogolan djama yé fini mi dan na lo wo lof o kadi bèyé,
Seydou toro karala
Guéssé dan na lou guéssé mi dan na lo o lo no kadi
bèyé Seydou toro karala
An bè sapé lé, djama bè sapé lé ko, an bè ko an nou
farafimoussolou sapélé ko
An bè sapé lé, djama bè sapé lé ko, an bè ko an nou
farafitchèlou sapélé ko
Seydou djolimandi, Seydou Seydou koussa woyi
Chris Seydou Seydou koussatala
An bè sapé lé, djama bè sapé lé ko, an bè ko an nou
farafimoussolou sapélé ko
An bè sapé lé, djama bè sapé lé ko, an bè ko an nou
farafitchèlou sapélé ko
Seydou djolimandi, Seydou Seydou koussa woyi
Chris Seydou Seydou koussatala
Awa kignèrô den ni djon kakan?
Alphadi yarabini mo mankan!
Assa kignèrô dan ni djon kakan?
Mangara filani gnon ni mo makan
Alé lé, alé lo karala, Seydou lé, Seydou lé gogolan
jupou lou karala djama yé
Alé lé, alé lo karala, ngo Seydou lé, Seydou lé robou
youman lou karala djama yé
Iyan fêro to, Seydou yan ferôto to, iyan to iyé djéliden
missènou fero to to
An gnadji to, djama bè gnadji to ko fo, an bè ko anou
farafidenou gnadji to ko
Seydou djolimandi, Seydou Seydou dogora
Chris Seydou Seydou dogora man
Chris Seydou Seydou dogora
Chris Seydou Seydou dogora man
Salif Keita's song "Seydou" is about the African traditions and spirituality, emphasizing the importance of respecting the divine and the moral values it instills. Through its lyrics, Keita honors Seydou, who embodies a spiritual leader and a source of wisdom and guidance for his people. In the song, Keita repeatedly invokes Allah, showcasing the centrality of religion in the African culture while also exalting Seydou's wisdom and teachings.
The opening lyrics, "Allah nôlé, Allah lé fama allah lé dalimassan, allah sa menfou," can be translated to "God is great, God is just, God is powerful, God is our refuge." These lines are an expression of the importance of faith and trust in Allah, especially during difficult times when people are vulnerable and need help. In the chorus, Keita repeats "Seydou djolimandi, Seydou Seydou koussa woyi" which means "Seydou, we thank you, Seydou, Seydou, we appreciate your wisdom." Here, Keita is praising Seydou as a spiritual teacher and guide who has helped the community navigate through life's challenges.
The latter part of the song references several African traditions, such as Bogolan dyeing, a method of coloring fabrics with natural dyes, and percussion instruments like the jembe and doum-doum. These references demonstrate the importance of preserving cultural practices and knowledge that connect people to their roots.
Overall, "Seydou" communicates a message of gratitude, respect, and reverence for the divine, traditions, and the wisdom of elders. The song is a tribute to an individual whose teachings have had a lasting impact on his community, providing them with knowledge and a sense of identity and belonging.
Line by Line Meaning
Allah nôlé
Oh Allah help me
Allah nôlé woyi
Oh Allah help me please
Allah lé fama allah lé dalimassan, allah sa menfou
Allah is respected, Allah is strong, Allah will not be defeated
Allah lé fama allah lé dalimassan, allah makoté
Allah is respected, Allah is strong, Allah is victorious
Ngo allah makotala
Indeed, Allah is victorious
Komatessi yé fini mi danla kokan fêrobô, Seydou toro karala
The hunter named Seydou is brave and skilled in hunting wild game
Bogolan djama yé fini mi dan na lo wo lof o kadi bèyé, Seydou toro karala
Seydou is also skilled in creating bogolan clothes
Guéssé dan na lou guéssé mi dan na lo o lo no kadi bèyé Seydou toro karala
He is skilled in both creating and wearing the traditional Guéssé clothing
An bè sapé lé, djama bè sapé lé ko, an bè ko an nou farafimoussolou sapélé ko
Let us dress well, let us all dress well, so that we may honor ourselves with respect
An bè sapé lé, djama bè sapé lé ko, an bè ko an nou farafitchèlou sapélé ko
Let us dress well, let us all dress well, so that we may present ourselves well
Seydou djolimandi, Seydou Seydou koussa woyi
Seydou is strong, Seydou is very strong
Chris Seydou Seydou koussatala
Chris and Seydou are both very strong
Awa kignèrô den ni djon kakan?
Who is the best hunter in the village?
Alphadi yarabini mo mankan!
Alphadi is the best!
Assa kignèrô dan ni djon kakan?
Who is the best blacksmith in the village?
Mangara filani gnon ni mo makan
The blacksmith named Mangara is the best
Alé lé, alé lo karala, Seydou lé, Seydou lé gogolan jupou lou karala djama yé
Let's go see Seydou who is good in making bogolan clothes and wears the traditional Guéssé clothing
Alé lé, alé lo karala, ngo Seydou lé, Seydou lé robou youman lou karala djama yé
Let's go see Seydou who is good in hunting and wearing wild game skins
Iyan fêro to, Seydou yan ferôto to, iyan to iyé djéliden missènou fero to to
He has a strong bow, Seydou has a stronger bow, and the strongest is the bow of Djéliden
An gnadji to, djama bè gnadji to ko fo, an bè ko anou farafidenou gnadji to ko
Let us complement the bow, let us all complement the bow, so that it may be known that we have good weapons
Seydou djolimandi, Seydou Seydou dogora
Seydou is brave, Seydou is very brave
Chris Seydou Seydou dogora man
Chris and Seydou are both very brave
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Salif Keita
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Nqobile Sibiya
Can somebody translate this song for me into English plz. Tnx
@Dolllyyyy
cette chanson me rappelle la souffrance et les difficultés que je traverse, qu'Allah puisse m'aider a voir le bout du tunnel
@hamadoudiallo7676
mashallah tu traversera toute tes difficultes
@sidykeita5177
Inchallah qu'Allah tout puissant t'aide.
@aichafofana9831
Cette chanson me rappelle les moments partagés avec mon papa qui aujourd’hui n’es plus sur cette terre 😢 merci beaucoup papa Salif tu est le meilleur chanteur au monde 😢je t’aime ❤
@moussatoure8929
Que son âme repose en paix
@BarryMamadou-km7yw
Wallah cette chanson chaque fois que je l’écoute je pleure parce que c’était le son préféré de mon père même le jour où il a rendu l’âme il a demandé que je lui fasse écouter cette chanson 2h avant qu’il décède 😔 merci salif Keita le roi de la musique mandingue 🫡❤️🫶
@khalilou346
Qui écoute ça en 2022. Vive l'Afrique notre beau continent. Nous sommes tous frères et sœurs. Restons soudés face aux diviseurs
@ismaelcapo2619
J’ai toujours des larmes aux yeux quand j’écoute cette chanson et ça me fait revivre au fond de moi certaines choses qui ont marqué ma vie.J’aimerai tellement rencontrer cet Esprit africain qui ne cesse de nous nourrir de ces inspirations,merci beaucoup tonton Salif et longue vie à vous !
@amyfall3527
Seydou il là un grand coeur machallah . longue vie à Seydou.