Oral Poetry from Africa
Previous installments of the epic Mandinka poem, Kambili, covered the childhood and marriage of this semi-mythic figure from Mali.
In the verses that follow, the musician and singer Seydou Camara, narrates the events leading to the battle of Kambili against the sorcerer Cekura.
Born for a reason and learning are not the same.
Putting tradition aside for one day’s pain is not good.
Hot pepper of the Game…
Kambili is the name of the hero of an epic Mandinka poem of the Wasulu hunters of Mali (see Kambili the Hunter for an earlier segment of the poem and further background).
Ah! Namu-sayers!
At this time, kolas had been sent out for a wife for Kambili.
And what was Kambili’s first wife’s name?
Her name was said, Kumba…
Kambili is a Mandinka epic poem of the Wasulu hunters of Mali. The poem concerns a heroic hunter, Kambili, and it is set during the reign of the Imam Samori Toure in the 19th century.
Kambili the hunter spoke out,
“My Father, Kanji, he said: “Yes?” the reply…
