Oral Poetry from Africa
Diommaya is a song by two of West Africa’s most celebrated griots, warning the ruling elites of Guinea and Mali about the dangers of exaggerating their own self-importance. Wealth and power are blessings, but will often bring forth arrogance and a lack of consideration for others.
Oh! Refuse, refuse, refuse and say no
Don’t accept to be disrespected, refuse it…
Sory Kandia Kouyaté (1933–1977) was born into the Kouyaté line of griots who have served as poets, oral historians, advisors and counselors to the Keita dynasty since the 13th century, when Sundiata Keita founded the Mali Empire.
Oh Sadio, the hippopotamus from Bafoulabe
Oh Sadio, the hippopotamus from Bafoulabe …
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…
This abridged rendition of the story of Sunjata Keita, founder of the Mali empire, is valuable for several reasons. Primarily as an opportunity for listeners to appreciate the soaring vibrato voice of Hawa Kassé Mady Diabaté, a true master of the art of the griot.
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…
