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.
Tekere
Salif Keita Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ka Tekere fo ye
Mousso lou, Tekere fo lan koun
Beka Tekere fo, billet ma na di jeli ke ba ma
O bara sewa, tenh koro Tekere bo fo.
Tekere, Tekere, Tekere
Moun yi dimina ne ma?
mou yi monela nema
Mou yi monela nema, ne fourougnoko bere
Ne mena yoliyoli la
I te da la ka, n'kiye
Da laka, san ya kan
awa, kanou dalaka, ji ye akan
Allah diyayemogo, dalaka, nene'a kan
Ali ni mo ye di fe bona
A faye, keleya mandiye
Kon te keleya, ahh keleya dimi ne
A ba wili ila moya
A te labana, na ma mojougouya banke-ila fou
Mo ka kena Djougouya
Ne ta kila, n'te joukouya fe
Koni, Djene, ka kena joukouya
Ne ta kila, n'te joukouya fe
Koni besi, ka kena joukouya
Ne ta kila, n'te joukouya fe
Solomani, i ka kena joukouya
Ne ta kila, n'te joukouya fe
Batterie fola, i kena kena joukouya
Ne ta kila, n'te joukouya fe
Na tioumba fola, i ka kena joukouya
Ne ta kila, n'te joukouya fe
jourou fola, i ka kena joukouya
Ne ta kila, n'te joukouya fe
Tekere, Tekere, Tekere
Patoron, n'bolobila ne fouroulen
Kankorosigi m'a kela fiye?
Kankorosigi, n'bolobila ne fouroulen
Secretairi m'a kela fiye?
Secretairi, n'bolobila ne fouroulen
Pilanton m'a kela fiye?
Ma soucie pilanton na
Ahhh, e maye Pilanton jamani
An ba willi, a be francais fo ne ye
A di toubabou kan fin ye
Tention Madame, Tention Madame, Tention.
Tekere,
Generali, m'bolo bila ne fourou len
Coloneli ma kela fiye?
Colonel n'bolo bila ne fourou len
Capitaini ma kela fiye?
Capitaini n'bolobila ne fourou len
Lakourou m'a kela fiye?
Ma soucie Lakouroula
Ahhh, e maye Lakourou jamane
An ba willi, a be francais fo ne ye
A di toubabou kan fin ye
Tention Madame, Tention Madame, Tention.
Tekere.
tolonou, Tekere willi la yan
Ka Tekere fo ye
Mousso lou, Tekere fo lan koun
Beka Tekere fo, billet ma na di jeli ke ba ma
O bara sewa, tenh koro Tekere bo fo.
Tekere...
Salif Keita's song "Tekere" is a deeply philosophical and introspective piece that delves into the themes of identity, self-knowledge, and introspection. The song revolves around the repetitive chorus of "Tekere," and the singer asks questions about his true self and the meaning of his existence. He wonders if he truly knows himself and if he is living up to his true potential. The lyrics suggest that one must look deep within themselves to understand who they truly are, and this self-knowledge is the key to unlocking one's true potential.
The song's verses are filled with vivid imagery and metaphor. The singer asks questions about various figures in his life, such as the secretary, pilot, and general, to emphasize that the answers to his questions lie within himself, not in other people. The lyrics also make references to different regions and cultures in Mali, which further highlights the theme of self-discovery and identity.
Overall, "Tekere" is a powerful and reflective song that encourages the listener to look within themselves to find their true purpose and potential.
Line by Line Meaning
Tekere, Tekere, Tekere
Repeating the word 'Tekere', which is of unknown meaning, possibly to invoke a spiritual or emotional response from the listener
Ka Tekere fo ye
What is the meaning of Tekere?
Mousso lou, Tekere fo lan koun
The women dance to Tekere, it is their song
Beka Tekere fo, billet ma na di jeli ke ba ma
Sing Tekere, give me money as I am a jeli (a West African griot or storyteller)
O bara sewa, tenh koro Tekere bo fo.
In the place where they play Tekere, everyone is dancing
Moun yi dimina ne ma?
Who can dance like me?
moun yi dimi, nkanou yoko bere monelen
No one can dance as I do
mou yi monela nema
I dance with grace
Mou yi monela nema, ne fourougnoko bere
I dance with grace and elegance
Ne mena yoliyoli la
I move my hips sensually
I te da la ka, n'kiye
I move my body to the rhythm and enjoy myself
Da laka, san ya kan
When the music starts, everyone snaps to attention
awa, kanou dalaka, ji ye akan
Everyone moves their bodies to the music
Allah diyayemogo, dalaka, nene'a kan
Dance is a way to praise Allah, everyone should participate
Ali ni mo ye di fe bona
I am the one who knows how to dance with grace
A faye, keleya mandiye
Show them how to dance, dance master
Kon te keleya, ahh keleya dimi ne
When the dance master dances, it is a sight to behold
A ba wili ila moya
Let the music take control
A te labana, na ma mojougouya banke-ila fou
I move my arms and legs, as if soaring in the sky
Mo ka kena Djougouya
I dance like I'm from Djougouya (a city in Mali)
Ne ta kila, n'te joukouya fe
I dance with all my energy
Koni, Djene, ka kena joukouya
Come, Djene, and dance with all your energy
Solomani, i ka kena joukouya
Solomani, come and dance with all your energy
Batterie fola, i kena kena joukouya
Drummer, play the drum so we can dance with all our energy
Na tioumba fola, i ka kena joukouya
Na tioumba player, play the tioumba so we can dance with all our energy
jourou fola, i ka kena joukouya
Jourou player, play the jourou so we can dance with all our energy
Patoron, n'bolobila ne fouroulen
Patron, do you know how to dance?
Kankorosigi m'a kela fiye?
Do you know how to dance and have fun?
Secretairi m'a kela fiye?
Do you know how to dance and have fun, secretary?
Pilanton m'a kela fiye?
Do you know how to dance and have fun, pilot?
Ma soucie pilanton na
I'm not worried about the pilot
Ahhh, e maye Pilanton jamani
Oh, the pilot also knows how to dance
An ba willi, a be francais fo ne ye
When the music starts, I'll speak in French
A di toubabou kan fin ye
I'll let the foreigners know how to enjoy the music
Tention Madame, Tention Madame, Tention
Attention Madam, pay attention to the music and dance
Generali, m'bolo bila ne fourou len
General, do you know how to dance?
Coloneli ma kela fiye?
Do you know how to dance, colonel?
Capitaini ma kela fiye?
Do you know how to dance, captain?
Lakourou m'a kela fiye?
Do you know how to dance, worker?
Ma soucie Lakouroula
I'm not worried about the worker
Ahhh, e maye Lakourou jamane
Oh, the worker also knows how to dance
Tolonou, Tekere willi la yan
Come on, let's dance to Tekere
Mousso lou, Tekere fo lan koun
The women dance to Tekere, it is their song
Beka Tekere fo, billet ma na di jeli ke ba ma
Sing Tekere, give me money as I am a jeli (a West African griot or storyteller)
O bara sewa, tenh koro Tekere bo fo.
In the place where they play Tekere, everyone is dancing
Tekere...
Repeating the word 'Tekere', possibly to bring the song to a close or to leave a lasting impression
Contributed by Bentley L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Bocar
C'est de la merde cette traduction
C'est faux !
@tontontra8379
Tekere, Tekere, Tekere
Ka Tekere fo ye
Mousso lou, Tekere fo lan koun
Beka Tekere fo, billet ma na di jeli ke ba ma
O bara sewa, tenh koro Tekere bo fo.
Tekere, Tekere, Tekere
Moun yi dimina ne ma?
moun yi dimi, nkanou yoko bere monelen
mou yi monela nema
Mou yi monela nema, ne fourougnoko bere
Ne mena yoliyoli la
I te da la ka, n'kiye
Da laka, san ya kan
awa, kanou dalaka, ji ye akan
Allah diyayemogo, dalaka, nene'a kan
Ali ni mo ye di fe bona
A faye, keleya mandiye
Kon te keleya, ahh keleya dimi ne
A ba wili ila moya
A te labana, na ma mojougouya banke-ila fou
Mo ka kena Djougouya
Ne ta kila, n'te joukouya fe
Koni, Djene, ka kena joukouya
Ne ta kila, n'te joukouya fe
Koni besi, ka kena joukouya
Ne ta kila, n'te joukouya fe
Solomani, i ka kena joukouya
Ne ta kila, n'te joukouya fe
Batterie fola, i kena kena joukouya
Ne ta kila, n'te joukouya fe
Na tioumba fola, i ka kena joukouya
Ne ta kila, n'te joukouya fe
jourou fola, i ka kena joukouya
Ne ta kila, n'te joukouya fe
Tekere, Tekere, Tekere
Patoron, n'bolobila ne fouroulen
Kankorosigi m'a kela fiye?
Kankorosigi, n'bolobila ne fouroulen
Secretairi m'a kela fiye?
Secretairi, n'bolobila ne fouroulen
Pilanton m'a kela fiye?
Ma soucie pilanton na
Ahhh, e maye Pilanton jamani
An ba willi, a be francais fo ne ye
A di toubabou kan fin ye
Tention Madame, Tention Madame, Tention.
Tekere,
Generali, m'bolo bila ne fourou len
Coloneli ma kela fiye?
Colonel n'bolo bila ne fourou len
Capitaini ma kela fiye?
Capitaini n'bolobila ne fourou len
Lakourou m'a kela fiye?
Ma soucie Lakouroula
Ahhh, e maye Lakourou jamane
An ba willi, a be francais fo ne ye
A di toubabou kan fin ye
Tention Madame, Tention Madame, Tention.
Tekere.
tolonou, Tekere willi la yan
Ka Tekere fo ye
Mousso lou, Tekere fo lan koun
Beka Tekere fo, billet ma na di jeli ke ba ma
O bara sewa, tenh koro Tekere bo fo.
Tekere...
@tarnagdays
"Tekere" applaudissez
Applaudissez pour moi , les femmes applaudissez donc. Appaudissez tous.
Quand tu donnes de l'argent au griot, il est content.
Quelle est donc la cause de ton mécontentement ma chérie , mon épouse ? Ouvres donc la porte que je te vois , la pluie me bât et j'ai froid . Ouvre la porte ma chérie la bien aimée de Dieu. Même si tu es avec une autre personne dis lui que je ne suis pas jaloux. La jalousie fait mal!
La jalousie quand elle n'est pas modérée , elle finit par faire de toi une personne mauvaise. Moi je n'aime pas le mal, qu'on ne m'en fasse pas.
Les choristes:
Patron laisses ma main je suis mariée
Et Quant au secrétaire ? Qu'il laisse ma main , je suis mariée
- Et le Platon alors ? Le Platon a vraiment du toupet !
C'est à moi qu'il parle français ?
Tention! (Attention !)
Applaudissez ! Applaudissez.
@AminataMaille
Qui l’écoute en 2024
@BintouDiakite-ck7kk
Moi 🫶🏾🫶🏾
@yacoubasangare9369
Moi je suis ivoirien mais comment ne pas écouté cet mastro sa musique est tout simplement impérissable .
@yacoubasangare9369
Maestro
@tontontra8379
Tekere, Tekere, Tekere
Ka Tekere fo ye
Mousso lou, Tekere fo lan koun
Beka Tekere fo, billet ma na di jeli ke ba ma
O bara sewa, tenh koro Tekere bo fo.
Tekere, Tekere, Tekere
Moun yi dimina ne ma?
moun yi dimi, nkanou yoko bere monelen
mou yi monela nema
Mou yi monela nema, ne fourougnoko bere
Ne mena yoliyoli la
I te da la ka, n'kiye
Da laka, san ya kan
awa, kanou dalaka, ji ye akan
Allah diyayemogo, dalaka, nene'a kan
Ali ni mo ye di fe bona
A faye, keleya mandiye
Kon te keleya, ahh keleya dimi ne
A ba wili ila moya
A te labana, na ma mojougouya banke-ila fou
Mo ka kena Djougouya
Ne ta kila, n'te joukouya fe
Koni, Djene, ka kena joukouya
Ne ta kila, n'te joukouya fe
Koni besi, ka kena joukouya
Ne ta kila, n'te joukouya fe
Solomani, i ka kena joukouya
Ne ta kila, n'te joukouya fe
Batterie fola, i kena kena joukouya
Ne ta kila, n'te joukouya fe
Na tioumba fola, i ka kena joukouya
Ne ta kila, n'te joukouya fe
jourou fola, i ka kena joukouya
Ne ta kila, n'te joukouya fe
Tekere, Tekere, Tekere
Patoron, n'bolobila ne fouroulen
Kankorosigi m'a kela fiye?
Kankorosigi, n'bolobila ne fouroulen
Secretairi m'a kela fiye?
Secretairi, n'bolobila ne fouroulen
Pilanton m'a kela fiye?
Ma soucie pilanton na
Ahhh, e maye Pilanton jamani
An ba willi, a be francais fo ne ye
A di toubabou kan fin ye
Tention Madame, Tention Madame, Tention.
Tekere,
Generali, m'bolo bila ne fourou len
Coloneli ma kela fiye?
Colonel n'bolo bila ne fourou len
Capitaini ma kela fiye?
Capitaini n'bolobila ne fourou len
Lakourou m'a kela fiye?
Ma soucie Lakouroula
Ahhh, e maye Lakourou jamane
An ba willi, a be francais fo ne ye
A di toubabou kan fin ye
Tention Madame, Tention Madame, Tention.
Tekere.
tolonou, Tekere willi la yan
Ka Tekere fo ye
Mousso lou, Tekere fo lan koun
Beka Tekere fo, billet ma na di jeli ke ba ma
O bara sewa, tenh koro Tekere bo fo.
Tekere...
@OusmaneDembele607
Sacré travail!!!
@ibrahimakante1357
Salif est tout simplement un monument. ❤️
J'ai découvert cette musique lors d'un mariage ; à l'époque, ma maman me prenait la 👋 pour aller dans les cérémonies.
Ce jour, il faisait tard ; mais moi je voulais pas rentrer.
Maman m'a presque traîné pour rentrer. À chaque fois que j'écoute cette musique, je me rappelle de cet événement.
@fugazy256
Mon papa etaic couturier il aimais tellement les chanson de salif je les connais toutes un vrai monument musicale cet artiste ❤
@sadinabah
Eh , Papa Salif Keïta cette chanson me rappelle mon enfance en Guinée 🇬🇳.
Merci 🙏 pour tout .
Longue vie à vous .👏👏👏❤️❤️❤️.