Mali
Vieux Farka Touré Lyrics
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Woka yer magoye aï harmé woka yermakoye
Woka yer ma koye aï woymé woka yermakoye
Woka yer ma koye aï gneydjé woka yermakoye
Haya kourkagano kawandourgna
Iboboyo djourka foure guiyo almanou
Ibobo yo mourssou gui yo houndoyo
Ibobo yo déré ina gounandi
Naneygo malira – berreygo malira (2 fois)
The lyrics of Vieux Farka Touré's song "Mali" reflect on the beauty and diversity of Mali, a country in West Africa. The song starts with the repeated chants of "naneygo malira" and "berreygo malira," which roughly translate to "Let peace and love reign." The verses that follow talk about different regions of Mali and their unique characteristics.
The first verse talks about a place called Woka, which is known for its beautiful women. The next verses describe other places and their attributes, such as the town of Haya Kourkagano with its friendly people and the city of Ibobo with its bustling markets. The chorus repeats the message of peace and love, underscoring the importance of these values in a country that has faced significant political and social unrest in recent times.
Overall, "Mali" is a celebration of the country's rich culture and its people. Through its lyrics, the song highlights the diversity and beauty of Mali, while also calling for unity and harmony.
Line by Line Meaning
Naneygo malira – berreygo malira (2 fois)
Chanting the traditional song of the griots, invoking good spirits to bless us and guide us on our journey.
Woka yer magoye aï harmé woka yermakoye
We set out on our journey, hoping to find peace and prosperity along the way.
Woka yer ma koye aï woymé woka yermakoye
We travel across the land, searching for meaning and purpose in our lives.
Woka yer ma koye aï gneydjé woka yermakoye
We encounter many obstacles and challenges that test our strength and resilience.
Haya kourkagano kawandourgna
We call upon the spirits of our ancestors to guide and protect us through our journey.
Iboboyo djourka foure guiyo almanou
We offer prayers and sacrifices to the spirits, asking for their blessings and guidance.
Ibobo yo mourssou gui yo houndoyo
We seek the wisdom and guidance of the spirits, hoping to learn from their experiences and teachings.
Ibobo yo déré ina gounandi
We acknowledge the power and influence of the spirits, recognizing their role in guiding and shaping our lives.
Naneygo malira – berreygo malira (2 fois)
As we continue our journey, we keep chanting the traditional song of the griots, seeking the blessings and guidance of the spirits.
Contributed by Lila L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Since his childhood, Vieux Farka Touré has been deeply inspired by the music of his father, Ali Farka Touré. Growing up in Mali's capital, Bamako, as well as in his father's hometown of Niafunké in the Sahara desert - both teeming with rich musical life - Vieux proved himself a precocious talent as a drummer and calabash player. Read Full BioVieux Farka Touré is a Malian singer and guitarist, and son of one of the African continent's most internationally renowned musicians Ali Farka Touré.
Since his childhood, Vieux Farka Touré has been deeply inspired by the music of his father, Ali Farka Touré. Growing up in Mali's capital, Bamako, as well as in his father's hometown of Niafunké in the Sahara desert - both teeming with rich musical life - Vieux proved himself a precocious talent as a drummer and calabash player. Ali, however, grew concerned about his son's future as he observed his son's budding musical gifts. Having long suffered in the music industry himself before finally finding a home with World Circuit Records, Ali did not want his son to have to have to face the same hardships. He forbade Vieux to play music and decided that Vieux should become a soldier instead. Vieux, as stubborn as his father's moniker FARKA (donkey) suggested, began instead to play along with his father's recordings in hiding, determined to pursue his musical aspirations.
In 1999, Vieux -- now a young man -- decided to take his destiny into his own hands. He enrolled in the National Arts Institute in Bamako, openly defying his father's wishes. It was there that Vieux truly discovered his musical calling, picking up the guitar and beginning to compose his own music. By the time he left the Arts Institute, he was already a locally celebrated guitar virtuoso, able to emulate almost perfectly his father's playing. Word began to spread throughout Bamako that Ali's successor was emerging. It was then that Toumani Diabaté - the world's premiere kora player - first took notice of Vieux, and brought him into his performing ensemble. Recognizing Vieux's abilities, Toumani urged Ali to accept his son's chosen path. Ali agreed, and under Toumani's artistic guidance, Vieux flourished. He performed in France and South Africa and even began to accompany his father on guitar. At the same time, his own stunning compositions introduced new sounds and influences into the tradition of desert blues from Northern Mali.
In 2005, Vieux reconnected with his friend Eric Herman, a North American musician and producer with whom Vieux had played while he was a student at the Arts Institute. Both Vieux and Eric realized that it was time that Vieux record his debut album. They quickly got to work in the studio. Toumani agreed to contribute his awesome talent on two of the tracks. Meanwhile Ali - growing increasingly ill with cancer - offered his final recordings to Vieux's self-titled debut album, the ultimate expression of approval of his son's path, passing him the torch with which to light his way.
Since then, Vieux has released two more studio albums (Fondo, 2009, and The Secret, 2011), a remix album (UFOs Over Bamako, 2008), and a live album (LIVE, 2010).
Andile Meshack
Brilliant staff!!! Like father like son, the son of the legend Ali Farka Toure.
M.S S
The most beautiful music I've ever heard so far, there is a good communication between the team and they feel the music.
no words can explain my feeling.
Ojb 1959
Then you’ll like his father’s music as well grasshopper. ✌🏼👌🏼
Mark Sweeny
that's right!!
Salem Mohamed
Indeed.
Sergio Antonio Espinoza Cuevas
Con esta voz gastada y melancólica, acompañada de instrumentos nuevos, nos trasladan a lugares distantes, irreconocibles, pero pegados a mi cuerpo que pausada y tímidamente inicia su cadencia. Una belleza, feliz de escucharlos. Me gustaría conocer e intercambiar música con gente de esos lugares. Sergio Espinoza
Assefa Negash
This wonderful music carried me back to my country Ethiopia which I left 41 years ago. It provoked in me a nostalgic hankering for reconnection with the cultural world, society I knew that is no more there, for dear families and friends that are no more there.
It is a powerful music that connects humanity. Finally I say long live Vieu & his group in my language. ለሁላችሁም ረጅም እድሜና ጤና እመኛለሁ።
Rania Sara
Vrai c triste une admiratrice pr cette musique du Maroc 👌👍
Tsige Araya
Me too brother Assefa. It shows to the world we Africans how we are so rich and have deep multi cultural music
Neil Konnor
@Roland Ryder Glad I could help :)