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 album, M'Bemba, was released in October 2005.
Abede
Salif Keita Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dors en paix, dors en paix / Une personne ne saurait porter seule le poids du monde.
Où est Abédé / Abédé a disparu à jamais.
J'ai demandé aux grits de Guinée: "Où est Abédé?" / J'ai demandé aux artistes de Guinée: "Où est Abédé?"
Les griots de la Guinée ont demandé a la RTG:" où est Abédé?" / La RTG de demander à son tour aux Maliens: "Où est Abédé?" / La RTM a demandé aux Africains qui à leur tour ont demandé aux Blancs / Abédé est parti à jamais, / Il est sous la grâce d'Allah, le maître de la vie et de la mort.
The song "Abede" by Salif Keita is a mournful tribute to a man named Abede who brought peace and harmony to those around him. The lyrics express the sorrow felt by those who loved him and the sense of loss at his absence. The opening lines "Dors en paix, dors en paix" (Sleep in peace, sleep in peace) set the tone for the song, conveying a sense of finality and a wish for rest.
The repeated question of "Où est Abédé?" (Where is Abede?) is a refrain that emphasizes the mystery surrounding his disappearance or death. The verses describe the impact Abede had on his community, acting as a mediator in marital disputes and promoting peace and unity. The lines "Abédé ne chantait et ne prêchait que la paix et la concorde" (Abede only sang and preached peace and harmony) convey his message and his approach to life.
Overall, "Abede" is a poignant and reflective song that celebrates the life and legacy of an inspirational figure. The lyrics are a reminder of the importance of kindness, compassion, and empathy in a world that can often feel harsh and unforgiving.
Line by Line Meaning
Dors en paix, dors en paix
May you rest in peace, as no one person can carry the weight of the world alone.
Où est Abédé
Where is Abédé? He is gone forever.
J'ai demandé aux grits de Guinée: "Où est Abédé?"
I asked the griots of Guinea: "Where is Abédé?"
Chaque fois que deux conjoint se querrellaient en public / Abédéleur rappelait l'engagement qu'ils avaientl'un pour l'autre / Et la disgrâce de leur inimitié / Abédé ne chanatait te ne prêchait que la paix et la concorde.
Whenever a couple argued in public, Abédé reminded them of their commitment to each other, and the shame of their enmity. Abédé only sang and preached about peace and harmony.
Les griots de la Guinée ont demandé a la RTG:" où est Abédé?"
The griots of Guinea asked the RTG: "Where is Abédé?"
La RTG de demander à son tour aux Maliens: "Où est Abédé?"
The RTG, in turn, asked the Malians: "Where is Abédé?"
La RTM a demandé aux Africains qui à leur tour ont demandé aux Blancs / Abédé est parti à jamais, / Il est sous la grâce d'Allah, le maître de la vie et de la mort.
The RTM asked other Africans, who then asked the white people: Abédé is gone forever, he is under the grace of Allah, the master of life and death.
Contributed by London L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@yayacamara7653
j ai connu ABD depuis bouake,l ami intime de mon pere thierno oumar camara,enfin mon pere hebergeais bcoup de guineens et j ai eu la chance de dormir avec abd dans le meme lit RIP
@oumarcisse2196
il n'y a pas de mot juste pour qualifier le génie de la musique africaine. Salif est unique. Le morceau ABD me sort de moi.Que dieu donne longue vie à Salif
Cissé Oumar
@fallfall2728
Vos photos tous les deux svp..
@nimagamoctar2609
Courage à toi grand frère
@moussakaba7909
Que son âme repose en paix
@ibrahimasorydoumbouya7570
⁰
@mohamedkeita6246
Que son âme repose en paix Aly Badara Diakite qui est la en 2022 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
@draxlerbangoura2080
C'est la musique que je ne vais jamais oublié , car ça marqué mon enfance
@abatobangus9032
Merci Salif le grand d´avoir rendu ce vibrant hommage à un des géants sur le plan journalistique de l´afrique, ADB (Aly Badra Diakité) nous a quité tôt en nous laissant un vide et il n´aura jamais un deuxième ABD, nous prions pour le répos de son âme!!
@koufecouadamatraore371
Ce titre est le diamant de toutes toutes tes chansons que j'ai écoutées. Longue vie à toi et santé. Adama kounfèco Traore samanfidaka narena