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.
Mama
Salif Keita Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(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
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
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.
@cheickumarbakayoko4355
Toutes tes chansons sont remplies de sens , et cette chanson me procurait des sensations depuis mon enfance et au fur à mesure je commence à comprendre le sens , tes chansons des énigmes et la 2ème partie qui me donne envie de pleurer, je vois le visage de mama dans mon esprit, tu dis de sages paroles dans la chanson est qu'on peut même choisir une chanson dans ton répertoire, tout est parfait, j'aime tout, tu es le plus grand vraiment je suis si fier de toi en tant que chanteur malien
@alassanekebacamara7230
M mm
@fantatraore3332
Ha oui 😊
@salimatakone1316
❤❤❤❤quant tu chante pour ta fille qui a honorer sa virginité jusqu'au mariage et tu lui a promis de chanter pour elle ❤❤❤ merci maestro
@sailatoure1378
Salif is living legend. The voice is exceptional and the lyrics are so powerful. Continue to live long Keita Mansa
@ibrahimdevlin6165
❤
@tawandaartwell9168
The Golden voice of Mali.Respect Salif Keita lots of love 4rom Zimbabwe
@youssefcamara3916
I remember listening to him many moon ago when I was working as a Canadian NGO in Malawi. Those hot evenings in Lilongwe. My God, times fly.
@salladia2888
Olala je suis sénégalaise mais j'adore papa salif j adore ses chansons
@safiatoubarry6485
cette musique est âgée que moi mais j'aime tellement l'écouter car elle me relie à mes parents qui vivent loin de moi
merci encore tonton SALIF pour tous tes chef d'œuvre