Thanks to all West African flute players past and present. Tnanks to other West African musicans past and present. Thanks to all those who are associated with these YouTube examples and thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. Thanks also to the publishers of these examples on YouTube. -snip- This pancocojams series was inspired by comments in https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2021/03/african-other-sources-of-african.html about West African flutes being sources of or influences for the African American fife and drum music traditions.
Note: I believe that all of the videos in this three part pancocojams series showcases musicians who are Fulani except for the video given as #2 in Part II. Please correct this information if I am mistaken. Thank you.
Additional Fulani and non- Fulani videos of West African musics that includes flutes has been published and will be published on pancocojams. Click the "West African music that includes flutes" to find many of these posts.
**** This concludes Part III of this three part pancocojams series.
This pancocojams post presents an excerpt of the Wikipedia page on griots as well as information about the Senegalese griot song "Sira".
In addition, two YouTube examples of "Sira" are showcased in this post along with some selected comments from those videos' discussion threads.
The content of this post is presented for historical, cultural, educational, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to Ablaye and Volker Goetze and others who were affiliated with this film. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post.
****
INFORMATION ABOUT GRIOTS
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Griot
"A griot ... jali or jeli (djeli or djéli in French spelling) is a West African historian, storyteller, praise singer, poet and/or musician. The griot is a repository of oral tradition and is often seen as a societal leader due to his or her traditional position as an advisor to royal personages. As a result of the former of these two functions, he or she is sometimes also called a bard. According to Paul Oliver in his book Savannah Syncopators, "Though [the griot] has to know many traditional songs without error, he must also have the ability to extemporize on current events, chance incidents and the passing scene. His wit can be devastating and his knowledge of local history formidable". Although they are popularly known as "praise singers", griots may use their vocal expertise for gossip, satire, or political comment.
Griots today live in many parts of West Africa and are present among the Mande peoples (Mandinka, Malinké, Bambara, etc.), Fulɓe (Fula), Hausa, Songhai, Tukulóor, Wolof, Serer, Mossi, Dagomba, Mauritanian Arabs and many other smaller groups. The word may derive from the French transliteration "guiriot" of the Portuguese word "criado", or masculine singular term for "servant". These story-tellers are more predominant in the northern portions of West Africa.
In African languages, griots are referred to by a number of names: jeli in northern Mande areas, jali in southern Mande areas, guewel in Wolof, gawlo in Pulaar (Fula), and iggawen in Hassaniyan."...
Music has long transcended geographical and cultural barriers to forge new sounds. That bond is manifested once more in the collaboration between vocalist and kora player Ablaye Cissoko and trumpeter Volker Goetze.
Cissoko and Goetze met in 2001 at the African-European Jazz Orchestra rehearsals in Senegal, where they were to open for Youssou N'Dour. Out of that meeting came the decision to record together. It was a judicious one.
Cissoko plays the kora, a 21-string instrument. His mastery of the instrument is startlingly evident in the delicacy and musicality he draws from it. He makes it another voice, to accompany and embellish not only his singing but the trumpet of Goetze as well. Goetze's lyrical approach to the trumpet is in keeping with the mood of the songs, and his deliberation soothes and brings in a balmy air. The pairing of the two is spellbinding.
Cissoko is a griot: a storyteller and a bard. His words may not be understood, but their emotional impact is undeniable. His sense of phrasing and enunciation lend themselves to his art.
The music comprises traditional tunes which a griot can shape to circumstance, and compositions from both players. The first story that the two tell is of "Sira." It means "mermaid," and is also the name of Cissoko's daughter. The mood is established right off with the notes from the kora rising in crystal purity. Cissoko sings with tenderness and warmth, drawing the listener into the experience. With Goetze clasping the mood with his shimmering lines, the impression is unforgettable.
Goetze has made the music part of his vocabulary. He finds a rich lore on the Ghanian [sic] rhythm of "Bamaya." While Cissoko lets the kora dance on the melody, Goetze smears the lines with his trumpet before he expands the dynamics through jazz harmony.
Each song tells its story with grace and an earnest zeal. Through it all Goetze and Cissoko captivate and never let go.
Title: Sira | Year Released: 2008 | Record Label: ObliqSound"
-snip-
I added italics to highlight this sentence which provides information about the personal name "Sira".
Note that in YouTube video discussion threads for Ablaye Cissoko's videos, commenters wrote that he sings in the Mandinka language.
Yohanan Assefa, Published on Jul 15, 2010
-snip-
Here are three comments from this video's discussion thread about where Ablaye Cissoko is from (Note that one of those comments is from Ablaye Cissoko himself) (numbers are assigned for referencing purposes only)
1, Alex Rivera Dominguez, 2013
"Absolutamente hermoso, música de gran peso y calidad. Desde México un saludo. Where is from Mr Ablaye?"
**
REPLY
BREHIMA SEGA DIALLO, 2014
"ablaye is from republica in mali africa"
**
3. Ablaye Cissoko
"No Ablaye is coming from SENEGAL . living in St Louis."
-snip-
Here's some information about St Louis, Senegal from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint-Louis,_Senegal:
"Saint-Louis, or Ndar as it is called in Wolof, is the capital of Senegal's Saint-Louis Region. Located in the northwest of Senegal, near the mouth of the Senegal River, and 320 km north of Senegal's capital city Dakar"...
****
Example #2: Ablaye Cissoko & Volker Goetze Live at the Jazz Gallery 2010
Volker Goetze, Published on Aug 29, 2010
-snip-
Here are some comments from this video's discussion thread (numbers are assigned for referencing purposes only)
1. Ndiagna Sene, 2011
"This song is amazing. I can't describe the comfort and pleasure it gives me."
**
REPLY
3. Volker Goetze, 2011
"Thank you for your nice words. We have to thank all of our audiences. Your energy and presence at concert enable us to do what we do. Merci."
**
4. chino717171, 2013
"Does this track have a name? or is it a nameless live jam?"
**
REPLY
5. Orchydee64, 2013
"the song is called SIRA"
**
6. Hamed Triqui. 2015
"I'll never have enough listening to Sira....all versions. Thanks and thanks again."
**
REPLY
7. Volker Goetze, 2015
"Thank you very much! It is one of our stronger work.. There is something very special about Ablaye's song "Sira"..."
**
REPLY
8. Hamed Triqui, 2015
"+Volker Goetze Thanks so much for answering Mr Goetze. I'm a Kora ( and Griots' storytelling) absolute fan since I was a kid and even for me Sira is very very special, I can tell you. The muted trump made a wonderful equilibrium/link between Ablaye's border and Satchmo's one, from roots to blossoming..."
**
REPLY
9. Volker Goetze, 2015
"+Hamed Triqui For us too!!! Merci Beaucoup! When did you discover the kora and how?"
**
REPLY
10. Hamed Triqui, 2015
"+Volker Goetze Je vous en prie, c'est du fond du coeur. My father used to have a Gambian "Djeli" friend. They were often talking about African traditional music ( I'm Algerian). As I was a kid, uncle Abdoulie brang a recording from one of the greatests korafolas, Nago Guèye. Things started like this, I was something like 10 yo and I can still remember every single note "exploding" from the old fashioned tape recorder."
**
REPLY
11. Volker Goetze, 2015
"+Hamed Triqui Thank you so much for sharing this! Do you play an instrument?"
**
REPLY
12. Hamed Triqui, 2015
"+Volker Goetze You're very welcome. One is also sharing with his own self you know, called nostalgia. you're the one everybody has to thank for sharing!
Amateurish guitar and Oud player. I've to say I'm much better when using my ears listening to real musicians. Even a single unit harmon mute is much better than I can ever be ^^"
**
13. Ancientafrica, 2015
"Why is trumpet included?"
**
REPLY
14. Volker Goetze, 2015
"Dear Ancient Africa:
Our music is much stronger together. Peace!
Volker"
**
REPLY
15. Ancientafrica, 2015
"how? Not sure??"
**
REPLY
16. Volker Goetze, 2015
"Listen... Music is truth... Can't hide..."
This pancocojams post provides information about the Senegalese band Touré Kunda and showcases that band's hit children's song "Fatou Yo".
Information about the language that is used for this song is included in this post along with information about the name "Fatou".
The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to Touré Kunda for its musical legacy and thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. Thanks also to the publishers of these examples on YouTube.
Hat tip to Mrs Barnes from Pittsburgh Dilworth Pre-Kindergarten for teaching this song to my granddaughter and her classmates.
****
SHOWCASE EXAMPLE: AFRICA Music /Best of all time : TOURE KUNDA: Fatou Yo
WitnessTheDevine, Uploaded on Jul 16, 2011
This is an african song , a little all , Almost every generation in Senegal loved it .....Every generation sang it , ,, and it still rocks ......
****
INFORMATION ABOUT TOURE KUNDA
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tour%C3%A9_Kunda
"Touré Kunda is a Senegalese band noted for their musical versatility and political activism. Their 36-year career encompasses recordings in over six languages and collaborations with well-known musicians such as Carlos Santana and Talking Heads. They have had considerable success in Africa and Europe and are active in social causes such as Children's rights and advocates for the homeless.
Biography
Born twenty-two days apart in 1950 in Ziguinchor in Casamance, Senegal, Ismaïla and Sixu Tidiane Touré were introduced to music by their elder brother Amadou, a singer and musician.
They moved to Paris to complete their musical education. They worked their way up in the Parisian scene. The group sings in Soninké, Wolof, Fula, Mandingo, Diola, and Portuguese creole, reflecting the multilingual mixture of the people of Casamance.
Their first album, Ismaïla do Sixu, was released in 1979. It was followed by E'Mma Africa in 1980 and Touré Kunda in 1982. In 1985, following the death of their brother and mentor Amadou, Ismael and Sixu Tidiane toured throughout Africa.
Upon returning to France, they found considerable success and critical acclaim among the French music press. In 1992, they were invited to play for Nelson Mandela at the Courtyard of Human Rights.
In 1999 their album Légendes, a retrospective of their 20-year career, was released. Shortly thereafter, they participated in Carlos Santana's album Supernaturel and toured with him. A greatest hits album, Best Of, was released in 2006. Their most recent album, Santhiaba, came out in 2008.
Ismaïla and Sixu Tidiane Touré are members of the sponsoring committee of the United Nations' Decade for the Promotion of a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World."...
****
INFORMATION ABOUT THE SONG "FATOU YO"
Here's a summary of that song from Best Children's Music [website no longer available on December 13, 2017]
"Toure Kunda (TOUR-ray KOON-dah) / Senegal / Fatou Yo (I Am Fatou) sung in Mandingo*. Fatou is a little girl who lives in Senegal, a country in Africa. She likes to dance with the other boys and girls in her village, and dreams about singing with baby elephants and giraffes.
The song is a sikko (SEE-koh), a dance where people get in a line and hold their hands towards the sky or hold the waist of the person in front of them. Senegal is a country in Western Africa that borders the Atlantic Ocean. There are many different tribes and ethnic groups, each with a unique culture. Languages spoken include Wolof, Fulani, Serer and Mandingo, but the common language is French because Senegal used to be a colony of France."
-snip-
I reformatted this summary to enhance its readability.
*Here's information about the Mandingo language (correct term: Mandinka) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandinka_language
"The Mandinka language (Mandi'nka kango), or Mandingo, is a Mandé language spoken by the Mandinka people of the Casamance region of Senegal, the Gambia, and northern Guinea-Bissau. It is the principal language of the Gambia.
Mandinka belongs to the Manding branch of Mandé, and is thus similar to Bambara and Maninka/Malinké. In a majority of areas, it is a tonal language with two tones: low and high, although the particular variety spoken in the Gambia and Senegal borders on a pitch accent due to its proximity with non-tonal neighboring languages like Wolof."...
****
INFORMATION ABOUT THE NAME "FATOU"
"Fatou" [pronounced FAH-tu], a short form of the name "Fatoumatta" (also found as "Fatoumata").
"Fatoumatta" ("Fatoumata") is a female name from the Mandinka (language). That name is a form of the Arabic female name "Fatima". http://www.vornamen-liste.de/female-arabic-first-names-f.html
"Fatou
Fatou is a female given name common in West Africa. In Gambia, he* is traditionally given to first-born daughters. The Arabic form of the name is Fatima."
-snip-
"he"= "it"
****
Here's a quote from a website that includes the names Fatoumatta ("Fatou"): http://resourcepage.gambia.dk/names.htm:
"Here is a more comprehensive list of names. This list of names was derived from the Mandinka dictionary*, but many of these names are common among the other major ethnic groups in The Gambia as well, such as the Fula, Wolof, and Jola."
Fatou yo si dia dialano
Fatou yo si dia dialano
Fatou yo si dia dialano
Fatou yo si dia dialano
Fatou faye faye fatou
Fatou kélémen dio
Fatou yo si dia dialano
Fatou faye faye fatou
Fatou kélémen dio
Fatou yo si dia dialano
Boutoumbélé boutoumbélé
Boutoumbélé boutoumbélé
Boutoumbélé boutoumbélé
Boutoumbélé boutoumbélé
Boutoumbélé o ma mi se ra
O Ma mycasse boutoumbélé
O ma mi se ra
O Ma mycasse boutoumbélé"
Source:http://www.mamalisa.com/?t=es&p=3134:
-snip-
mamalisa.com gives the language used in this song as "Balanta". I believe that that information is incorrect in part because "Balanta" is a language from the West African nation of Guinea-Bissau and the music group Touré Kunda is from Senegal, West Africa.
Also, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tour%C3%A9_Kunda indicates that "The group [Touré Kunda] sings in Soninké, Wolof, Fula, Mandingo, Diola, and Portuguese creole, reflecting the multilingual mixture of the people of Casamance."...
-snip-
In addition, the summary for "Fatou Yo" that is given above indicates that it is sung in Mandingo (i.e. Mandinka). I think that is the correct information.
Here's the English translation for "Fatou Yo" from that mamalisa.com website:
"I am Fatou, pretty Fatou,
I am Fatou, pretty Fatou,
I am Fatou, pretty Fatou,
I am Fatou, pretty Fatou.
Fatou oh, oh Fatou,
Like all the children of the world
I am Fatou, pretty Fatou.
Fatou oh, oh Fatou,
Like all the children of the world
I am Fatou, pretty Fatou.
I am happy and will surely grow up
I am happy and will surely grow up
I am happy and will surely grow up
I am happy and will surely grow up
I will grow up like everybody else
Like the little elephants and the little giraffes
Like everybody else
Like the little elephants and the little giraffes."
-snip-
UPDATE: May 13, 2018
Thanks to Carlos Alberto Teixeira for sharing the following karoake video of Fatou Yo! The sub-titles in that video correct the incomplete lyrics for this song that are given above.
FATOU YO-karaoke SUNITATINA.wmv
urregaraikt, Published on Dec 1, 2010
Touré Kundak sortutako kanta hau edonork entzun, kantatu eta entzuteko modukoa da
This pancocojams post showcases two videos of the Senegalese dance company. Information about this dance company is included in this post, along with general information about the Fula (Pular, Fulani) people.
The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to Ya Bakh for their creative performing arts legacy. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publisher of this video on YouTube.
[translated from French to English by Google translate]
"Ya Bakh dance
Dance group, music, acrobatics, theater and traditional singing Pular
Animations, concerts and shows for all your festivals and festivals.
Traditional dance lessons pular."
-snip-
"Traditional Pular dance lessons"*
****
From http://yabakh.weebly.com/about.html
[translated from French to English by Google translate]
"Ya Bakh is a group of dancers and musicians from Senegal.
The members of the group living from a great rapport with each other and with their traditions. Their performances illustrate how proud they are of their beautiful culture and their traditional values of brotherhood, love of life, self-esteem, respect and solidarity.
They want primarily to convey the love for their culture on their own people. They toured mainly in Senegal, but also in Mali and Mauritania. Now they want to show the rest of the world what they are good at. They bring dance, music and spectacle that makes you happy.
Immerse yourself in the African rhythms and dances."
-snip-
* Here's information about the Fula (Pular; Fulani) ethnic group:
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fula_people
"The Fula people or Fulani or Fulɓe (Fula: Fulɓe; French: Peul; Hausa: Fulani or Hilani; Portuguese: Fula; Wolof: Pël; Bambara: Fulaw), numbering between 20 and 25 million people in total,[7] are one of the largest and a widely dispersed Muslim ethnic group in Sahel and West Africa.[8] The Fula people are traditionally believed to have roots in the people from North Africa and the Middle East, who later intermingled with local West African ethnic groups. As an ethnic group they are bound together by the Fula language (Fulfulde), culture, history, their religious affiliation[9] and their efforts to spread Islam in Sahel region and the West Africa....
[other referents] Fulani, Fula, Fulɓe
Total population
c. 20–25 million[1][2]
Regions with significant populations
Nigeria, Guinea, Cameroon, Senegal, Gambia, Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, Sudan, Chad, Mauritania Morocco"
****
SHOWCASE VIDEOS
Example #1: Groupe Yabakh Dance _ Mbaye - Ziggo _ 2016
ATTAK-VISION, Published on Apr 12, 2016
Réalisation: ATTAK-VISION
-snip-
Here's a response to the questions that I asked on that video's discussion thread:
"Groupe Ya Bakh, 2016
"Thanks for your kind comments.
The group Ya Bakh is a Senegalese group. They dance, they play music, they do theatre and acrobatics.
Their music and choreography is traditional. It's inspired by their ethnic group the Fula People or Peul.
Ya Bakh is trying to preserve their traditional background and values. They want to spread it throughout the world.
You can contact them via email on yabakhdance@gmail.com
And you can check their site: http://yabakh.weebly.com/.
Feel welcome!"
-snip-
I then wrote Groupe Ya Bakh back to thank that group spokesperson and to let them know that I planned to publish this post.
I also asked them what their group name means and whether "Mbaye - Ziggo" are names or other words, and if they are words what the words mean.
I also wondered whether the video represented a specific event, particularly the scene where the woman is shown walking on material. Was she a visitor who was being honored by that gesture?
I'll add any responses to my questions in this post when I receive it.
****
UPDATE: March 12, 2017
Here's a response that I received via YouTube on March 12, 2017
Groupe Ya Bakh
Waw, thanks for sharing our videos on your blog. You're really kind.
In fact, I didn't write from Senegal, but from Europe, Belgium. My husband is the leader of Ya Bakh. He lives in Senegal most of the time. He doesn't speak English. That's why he asked me to respond to you.
I agree, the internet is great!
Here are the answers to your questions.
Ya Bakh means 'You are fine'. The group chose that name because a lot of people think that artists are foolish. And they want to show the opposit.
Mbaye Ziggo is the title of the song. It means 'marriage'. The clip shows how a traditional marriage is celebrated. You see the arrival of the bride. When she arrives, she is received with great respect. Like a princess. That's why people make her walk on carpets and garments."
****
Here's my response to that comment: (March 12, 2017)
You're welcome and thank you very much for your responses. I'll add that information to my pancocojams post.
And hello Belgium!
I'm so very glad that I happened upon this video while searching for traditional videos of African dancing*.
I believe that there are lots of other people in the USA and elsewhere throughout the world who will appreciate this video and would love to have information about the video (such as my questions) summarized under that video.
Re: your comment that "Ya Bakh means 'You are fine'. The group chose that name because a lot of people think that artists are foolish. And they want to show the opposite." Is that a traditional viewpoint about musicians and dancers in Fula culture?
Please thank your husband and the other members of Ya Bakh for this celebrating and helping to retain their traditional culture and share their performances with the via YouTube (and hopefully some paid live performance events that will be booked as a result of these videos).
*While YouTube surfing, I happened upon videos of Mbaye dances in Chad (Central Africa) and was looking for more. That's how I found this Mbaye Ziggo video.
****
Here's the response about an hour after I posted that comment:
Groupe Ya Bakh
"Thank you so much for your kindness and your advice. I'll add more information to the video.
And thank you for showing me the Mbaye dances. I like them.
It is not a traditional viewpoint that artists are foolish. But the families are not too happy when someone chooses to try to make a living with music and dance. That's why they are considered foolish.
While I and the members of Ya Bakh think it's so very important that people remember and cherish their roots.
I will translate all your comments to my husband. I'm sure he will want me to thank you as well.
Glad to have an African American sister!
Best wishes to you too
your Belgian Senegalese sister"
****
Example #2: VIDEO YABAKH DANCE PRESTATION
Groupe Ya Bakh Published on Aug 5, 2016
Ya Bakh au Grand Théâtre National de Dakar, Senegal
This pancocojams post provides showcases two videos of Omar Mané, the lead vocalist and composer for the Senegalese (Balanta ethnic group) musical group "Njama Niaaba". Omar Mané died suddenly in late December 2014.*
Information about the Balanta ethnic group is also included in this post along with information about Omar Mané and Njama Niaaba and selected comments from the discussion thread of one of the showcased videos.
The Addendum to this post features three videos of a concert or concerts that were held in homage to Omar Mané.
The content of this post is presented for cultural and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to Omar Mané for his musical legacy and thanks to other members of Njama Niaaba. Rest in peace, Omar Mané.
Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks also to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.
-snip-
* I just happened upon these videos of Omar Mané while "YouTube surfing" for African music/dance videos. I tried to find information about this vocalist and his music group but haven't been successful in finding much information-particularly in English. My apologies for not being certain about the date of Omar Mané's passing. Additions and corrections to the information found in this post would be appreciated.
****
INFORMATION ABOUT THE BALANTA ETHNIC GROUP
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balanta_people
"The Balanta (same spelling in Guinea-Bissau Creole and Portuguese, balante in French transliteration), meaning literally “those who resist”, are an ethnic group found in Guinea-Bissau, Senegal, and the Gambia. They are the largest ethnic group of Guinea-Bissau, representing more than one-quarter of the population. Despite their numbers, they have remained outside the colonial and postcolonial state because of their social organization. The Balanta can be divided into four subgroups, three of which are Balanta Kentohe, Balanta Ganja, and Balanta Brassa, the largest of which are the Balanta Brassa.
Archaeologists believe that the people who became the Balanta migrated to present-day Guinea-Bissau in small groups between the tenth and fourteenth centuries C.E. Oral tradition amongst the Balanta has it that they migrated westward from the area that is now Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia to escape drought and wars. During the nineteenth century, they spread throughout the area that is now Guinea-Bissau and southern Senegal in order to resist the expansion of the Kaabu kingdom. Today, the Balanta are mostly found in the southern and central regions of Guinea-Bissau"...
****
EXCERPT FROM ARTICLE ABOUT OMAR MANE
[Pancocojams Editor: This excerpt is translated from French to English by Google Translate, and given as it was found except for the word Balanta being given as "balancing" in that translation.]
From http://musicinafrica.net/fr/taxonomy/term/9428 Njama Niaaba: The lead vocal Omar Mané, struck by an infarction: the orchestra Njama Niaaba loses the voice, Jan 14, 2015 by Lamine BA
"The musical group, the bearer and promoter of the culture of the ballade, lost last weekend its lead vocal and composer. Omar Mané left brutally, depriving his orchestra of his voice, and leaving all the Balantacounda in disarray...
Struck by fate, he was buried at 14:40 on Saturday in Niafor his native village, located to the south east of the department of Goudomp.
Lead vocal, Omar Mané is the conductor of the Njama Niaaba. A name given to this orchestra to immortalize a heroine of the balancing [Balanta] community who had to conduct warlike expeditions in the presence of men. "She is endowed with a mystical power that places her above her community," Omar Mané testified. "Unknown to the younger generation, its history that marked its era is rich and full of teachings," confided the deceased in an interview conducted at the last Balenbuger festival n Sédhiou.
Omar Mané fakes the company to his friends at the age of 37 years. His band was founded in 1994, in Niafor by a band of friends. "At first it's a childhood story. Later on, we thought of putting it seriously by focusing on the quality of a renowned balanfonist son that I am. My comrades and I thought of revalorizing this legacy, "said the artist.
The group that wants to be ambassador of Balantacounda, has produced three albums. The first is called Balusna kijaago which means, "Let's value our culture". A way of inviting the balancing community to mobilize to valorize the balancing language which in its eyes is on a dangerous downward slope, and which must be redressed. This album launched the group and brought the expected results, as evidenced by the enthusiasm of young people who sing their music at concerts.
The second album entitled Doua, is a solicitation of the blessing of the wise for a better fulfillment of the young, who are the hope of tomorrow. Sounia or circumcision in a balancing [Balanta] country, is the last album that attests to the confirmation and maturity of a group that makes hearts vibrate.
The Njama Niaaba is based on a new musical style, born from a mixture of diverse sounds of the natural Casamance but whose balafon remains the key element. It is the "afro balante". The aim is to highlight the balancing [Balanta] balafon, which is not well known to the general public. "However, it has features that distinguish it from the dialonké balafon and the Indian xylophone, thanks to its varied and rich diatonic range. We realized this during our tours around the world, notably at the festival called "triangle du balafon" held in Mali.
On December 27, the group performed in Kinthiengrou. After this farewell concert to fans of the Boudhie taken by the announcement of his death, the music lovers were invited to Diattacounda in the department of Goudomp but due to a malaise of the vocal lead, the concert was postponed And will eventually not take place. While promoting the Baltic culture, the problem of peace in Casamance is on the menu of the music of Njama Niaaba. The orchestra organizes concerts every year and pays the money collected to the parents' associations, in order to put an end to the provisional shelters in this part of the country"...
****
SHOWCASE VIDEOS
Example #1: M-Seydi
nielsm22 Uploaded on Jan 28, 2010
Omar Mane
-snip-
Selected comments from this video's discussion thread
2010
sangalang baa
"hey ma guy this is a great sound it over touched and i wish you could post much of this, i did re found and touched another great aspect of africa with rich tradition and our beautiful langauge ooooooooooooooooo Mama africa lets go back to tradition without known our past then we mean nothing to be in this world. Africa is our home and it will always be there for africans so with our culture and tradition we will get to were we wanted to be blessing alway from the gambia."
****
2014
MainaCaramel Bee
"C vraiment dommage kil n'y ait pratiquement que du Mbalax ,Rnb , Rap Français qui passe à longueur de journée dans nos chaines nationales sénégalaises au lieu de venir en aide a ces artistes ki sont du pays ils préfèrent mettre en avant d'autres musiques c pas normal jai limpression kil y a un complexe de la part des médias au niveau de certaines ehtnies ou cultures au Sénégal ,ce genre de musique devrait être mis au devant de la scène et non dans les coulisses heureusement que Youtube existe lol sinon la musique est vraiment bien jkiffe !"
-snip-
From French to English
"C truly a pity that there was practically nothing but Mbalax, Rnb, Rap French who spend all day in our national Senegalese chains instead of helping these artists ki are from the country they prefer to put forward other music C not normal jai impression k y there is a complex on the part of the media at the level of certain ehtnies or cultures in Senegal, this kind of music should be put in front of the scene and not behind the scenes luckily that Youtube exists lol if not the music Is really good jkiffe!"
****
2015
Ameth BIAYE
"repose en paix omar mané tu as bien représenté la musique balante"
-snip-
"Rest in peace omar mané you represented well the balante music"
***
baba sow
"homage à c grd musicien omar et a tt la famille particuliermnt la cmunoté balante.c du bn music j'ador c son"
-snip-
Translated from French to English:
Tribute to c great musician omar and has tt the particular familymnt the cmunoté balante.c of bn music j'ador c son
****
2016
youssouph badji
"On ne connait la vraie valeur d'une pesonne que kan, elle nous a quitté. Je ne suis pas balante, mais ce que je vpis, cé très cool. Cé ce que nous voulons. Malheureusement, il est parti au delà, sans que bcp de Sénégalais ne le découvrent véritablement. Je me rapelle l'avaoir suivi une fois au Centre Talibou Dabo, invité alors par les communauté balante de Grand -Yoff et Parcelles. Que Dieu l'accueille au Paradis. Mané Balanté."
-snip-
Translated from French to English [with my translation corrections given in brackets]
"One knows the true value of a person as kan, she [he] has left us. I am not balanced [Balanta], but what I see, it is very cool. What we want. Unfortunately, he went beyond, without the bcp of Senegalese really discover it. I remember having followed it once at the Talibou Dabo Center, then invited by the Grand-Yoff and Parcelles swinging communities. May God receive him in Paradise. Mané Balanté."
**
youssouph badji
"Moi j'ai eu la chance de le suivre en pleine prestation, alors invité par le communauté Balante des Parcelles, Grand Yoff, au Centre Talibo Dabo. Sincèrement, je pense qu'il mérite qu'o perpétue sa mémoire en parrainnant des manifestation culturelles sur toute la Casamance, de même le saxphoniste de Ucas, Kunta...... merci. RIP"
-snip-
Translated from French to English
"I had the chance to follow him in full performance, then invited by the community Balante des Parcelles, Grand Yoff, at the Talibo Dabo Center. Sincerely, I think that it deserves that o perpetuates its memory by sponsoring cultural manifestations on all the Casamance, likewise the saxophonist of Ucas, Kunta ...... thank you. RIP"
****
Example #2: SUUNAA dernier clip d'Omar Mané du Njama Niaaba
SedhiouTV Published on Oct 27, 2016
-snip-
Google translate from French to English: SUUNAA latest clip of Omar Mané from Njama Niaaba
I wrote a comment below about what I believe this song and video are about.
****
Example #2: Njama Naaba: La communauté Balante du Sénégal rend un vibrant Hommage à Omar MANE
SnlTV, Published on Jul 7, 2016
La communauté Balante du Sénégal rend un vibrant Hommage à Omar MANE le chanteur Njama Naaba
-snip-
Translated from French to English: "The Balante community of Senegal makes a vibrant tribute to Omar MANE the singer Njama Naaba"
****
Example #3: GOUDOMP AVEC LE MAIRE ABLAYE BOSCO SADIO Hommage à Omare Mané
This pancocojams post showcases a YouTube video of Senegalese vocalist Baaba Maal's song "Yela" (also known as “Hamady Boiro”).
Selected comments from this video's discussion thread are also included in this post.
That video features Jamaican movie star Carl Bradshaw (as the teacher) and includes scenes of dancers performing the "Bogle", a Jamaican Dancehall dance.
The Addendum to this post showcases a video of the 1990s Jamaican Dancehall dance called the "Bogle".
The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to Baaba Maal for his musical legacy. Thanks to all those who are featured in Baaba Maal's video. Thanks also to Latonya Style for showcasing bogle dance steps. Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. Also, thanks to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.
****
SHOWCASE VIDEO: Baaba Maal – Yela Uploaded on Oct 7, 2009
Music video by Baaba Maal performing Yela. (C) 1992 Island Records Ltd.
-snip-
This song was featured in the 1994 American movie The Air Up There.
-snip-
Selected comments from this video's discussion thread (Numbers are assigned for referencing purposes only):
2010
1. mali9566
"The DJ is a Jamaican actor by the name of Carl Bradshaw."
**
Reply
2. Carlos Cooke
"i know cause i was at vid shoot with Carl Bradshaw in the vid he played the teacher
who points to the map , please note the dance is called "Bogle"
Buju Banton recorded a song by the same name ....
1 i was at the vid shoot
2 the dance the jamaican dancers did is called "Bogle"
3 i am a jamaican so i should ( them shudda know) red hotttttttt..
**
Reply
3. MsPrincessaj
"@carcooke1000
Big ups to you, as I was just about to explain the connection between Senegal, Jamaica, the Yela rhythm, reggae, and the Bogle dance. Yela is from the north of Senegal - Baaba's home of Podor. Amazing to see Senegalese yout doing the Bogle. I think this is one of the best videos that shows the connections within the African Diaspora. I was humbled when I met Baaba Maal this summer in DC."
**
4. LeeFelo
"@Dungababylon
I did some research and it is Macka B. Thank you for pointing it out, I don’t know much about reggae and dance hall. Also find out that the song its actually named “Hamady Boiro”, Yela I think it is the name of this Senegalese style of music."
**
Reply
5. Monsieur Africain
"@LeeFelo you are sort of correct, but Yela is the form of Fulani music sang by Fulani women, not really limited to Senegal but all of West Africa."
**
Reply
6. Monsieur Africain
"@toryor if You were from Adamawa state you would understand the language since it is Fulani."
**
7. desertsidewinder
"Remember Baaba Maal is Peul
he sings in peular
he is one of the best singing poets of Africa today"
-snip-
“Peul” = “Fula”/”Fulani” ethnic group
**
2011
8. Susie Q
"Awesome! Thank goodness for YT or we would never hear this music in the US."
****
2013
9. Mouhamed Thiam
"The blend of the 2 style is extraordinaryilly wel done"
**
10. Ras Sjamaan
"Yeah it's a big tune and really special because Carl Bradshaw is a famous actor from Jamaica movies like " The Harder they come, Third World Cop, Smile Orange & County Man. Baaba Maal is Senegals #2 most famous artist (after youssou n'dour) singing in the traditional Fula/Fulani language. Beautiful combination!"
**
11. Tomas Gulas
"This is the opening song for "sounds of Africa" on kdvs radio station in Davis California. Fayia Sellu is the host."
LATONYA STYLE demonstrates Dancehall Steps created by the legendary Gerald "Bogle" Levy aka Mr. Wacky (The Man, The History and The Dance)
Latonya Style is a Jamaican Cultural Ambassador and Dance Extraordinaire specializing in DANCEHALL, Reggae Jam'n, AfroJam, Stylish Moves, Bumpa Twerkout, Brukout Dancehall and more...
This Video is dedicated to Bogle, Boysie Roses and all the versatile female dancers who can do the male steps.
Location: Stand Pipe, Jamaica
Filmed By: Laddy Mack
Edited by: Krushaz Production
Dancer: Latonya Style of First Class Dancers and DanceJa
This post showcases the remix of the 2012 hit Afro-Beat song "Chop My Money". Along with the video of that song, this post includes the song's lyrics and English interpretations of the Yoruba words in that song (from commenters posting to that that showcase video's discussion thread). In addition, this post includes a description of the video and my summary of the song and of that video.
The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights are included in this post.
Thanks to P Square, Akon, and Mister May D for their musical legacy. Thanks also to all those who are included in this post. Special thanks to the commenter who shared their interpretations of the Yoruba words in Mr. May's verse of this song. uthe lyrics to this song. Thanks also to the publishers of this video on YouTube.
****
LYRICS - CHOP MY MONEY (remix)
[performed by P-Square, featuring Akon and May D]
[Akon:]
It's the remix yeah, the remix yeah
Akon, Psquare, Mister May D
Konvict Music
First of all you are the type of woman that stays on my mind
Walk down the street, every guy wanna jump on your behind
It's your seduction that makes sure that we stay in line
Sexual corruption cause I'll kill anyone for your time
(Time, Time, yeah)
Even though I make real dough, your the reason there'll be more yeah
(Time, Time, yeah)
Even though I got much more, I don't mind if you
Chop my money, chop my money
Chop my money, cause I don't care
Chop my money, chop my money
Chop my money, cause I don't care
I don't care (don't care) [x3]
Cause I get am plenty
I don't care (don't care) [x3]
The girls they love me
[Peter:]
E get this fine lady, her body na die Nnwa baby
We suppose to live like family ey, I know dey lie (no dey lie)
There's nothing stopping me, she dey feel my swag
And I get money, I dey try my best I be somebody cause I'm living life
This girl dey make me high, high
I dey feel this baby, you no go believe
This girl na die die
If you see this baby, tell am say
She must chop my money, chop my money
Chop my money, cause I don't care
Chop my money, chop my money
Chop my money, cause I don't care
I don't care (don't care)
I don't care (don't care)
I no fear cause I get am plenty
I don't care (I don't care)
I don't care (I don't care)
I no fear, cause e no dey empty
Hey Hey! [x3]
Awwwwwwwwwwwaaaah (hey hey)
[May D:]
Is mister May D
Ahn, na the love wen me get for you na Jackie Chan
Somersault and stunt for you, you know I can
Fa ra ba le ko ma lo le, Omo ele I get pepper
Jem ba soro kilon sele
Ah if you see her eyes, eyes
You no go believe she's looking at me
My temperature dey rise, rise
If you see this baby tell am say
She must chop my money, chop my money
Chop my money, cause I don't care
Chop my money, chop my money
Chop my money, cause I don't care
I don't care (don't care)
I don't care (don't care)
I no fear cause I get am plenty
I don't care (I don't care)
I don't care (I don't care)
I no fear, cause e no dey empty
Hey Hey! [x3]
I'll meet you up, up
You go never never run down baby (run down baby)
And when I'm done, done
Tell me if you want some more baby (some more)
[Paul:]
I got plenty dollars in my name
Plenty Naira in my name
Plenty dollars in my name
In my name, In my name
Plenty dollars in my name
Plenty Naira in my name
Plenty dollars in my name
In my name, In my name
Plenty dollars in my name
Plenty Naira in my name (Hey Hey)
Plenty dollars in my name
In my name, In my name (Hey Hey)
Plenty dollars in my name
Plenty Naira in my name (Hey Hey)
Plenty dollars in my name
In my name, In my name
****
ENGLISH INTERPRETATIONS OF THE YORUBA WORDS IN THIS SONG
"Chop my money" is Nigerian Pidgin English for "spend my money".
"Naira" refers to Nigerian paper money.
Interpretations of the Yoruba words in Mr. May D's verse of this song:
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17vC8qZILJE
2012
Muslimah Sharif
"My favorite Lines "farabele komalole, Omo ele I get pepper
Jembi soro kilon sele" Wish i knew what it means though....LOlz"
**
DanjaMouse10000
"Can somebody tell me in English what May D said starting at @2:54 ?"
**
Reply
soupereagle
"it means something like,
"keep calm, lets get down, hotchick, I'm on fire!
"whats up? come talk to me"
**
Reply
Papy Wendo
"Farabale k'oma lole>>take it easy/relax and don't get boring, Omo ele I get pepper>> pretty lady I've got cash, Je'nba e soro kilonshele>> let me talk to u, what's up/whats happening?...
"Don't get boring" in this contect could also mean don't be shy/don't be scared or afraid etc."
-snip-
contect= context
**
Simi Olatunde
"Relax, go down low, fine girl, I have swag( I am hot), let me talk to you, what is happening. It is hard to translate the Yoruba language into English clearly"
****
SHOWCASE EXAMPLE - P-Square Ft. Akon, May D - Chop My Money [Official video]
officialpsquare, Uploaded on Feb 23, 2012
-snip-
Chop My Money (remix) is a collaboration between Nigerian Afro-Beat vocalist P-Square, Senegalese American singer Akon, and Nigerian vocalist Mister May D.
****
SONG SUMMARY AND VIDEO SUMMARY [Revised May 22, 2016]
The message of the Afr0-Beat song "Chop My Money" by P square featuring Akon & Mister May D can be considered different and much more complicated than the song's message.
"Chop My Money" (English: "Spend My Money") is a self-bragging song in which the singers say that because they are very rich, they don't care if women spend their money. The implication is that being nonchalant about a beautiful woman spending a man's money on lavish material goods is proof that the man is very wealthy.
However, the video complicates the song's message because it shows the same woman being a "gold digger" - cheating on four different men. A woman is shown taking a man's credit card to go shopping, then being gifted with a luxury car by a second man, and then purchasing multiple items in turn from two other men -all in the same day. To further complicate the video's messages, that female character is portrayed by a lighter brown skinned Black woman with her hair dyed blond. Also, that evening the woman further "plays" (makes a fool out of) the four men -all of whom are dark skinned- by not acknowledging them at a night club and walking past them to meet with a light skinned man who she leads past the four men -still without acknowledging them. The relative light skin of that woman and the man's light skin (and probably lack of wealth compared to the celebrity singers (who some commenters thought were portraying themselves) were topics of sharp criticism by a number of commenters in that video's discussion thread.
Given my admittedly second hand knowledge of the skin color dynamics in West Africa- coupled with my first hand knowledge about African Americans' colorism- my sense was the fact that the men considered the woman to be beautiful, in large part because she had lighter skin and had blond hair. Also, given that same second and first hand knowledge of skin color dynamics, the fact that the man that the woman chose at the end of the video was light skinned made the man's rejection and being played as fools even more insulting and hurtful.
-snip-
Additions and corrections to these summaries would be greatly appreciated.
This pancocojams post showcases the song Mbalaxh by Senegalese singer Thione Ballago Seck. Information about that performer is also included in this post.
A few selected comments from that YouTube video's discussion thread are also included in that post.
The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes. I love the music, and love watching the dancing. I also love the traditional Senegalese fashions that are worn in this video.
Unfortunately, I don't know any language but English. I'd love to know what Mbaakh means and what this song is about.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to Thione Ballago Seck for his musical legacy. Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. Thanks also to the publisher of this video on YouTube.
****
INFORMATION ABOUT THIONE BALLAGO SECK
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thione_Seck
"Thione Ballago Seck (born March 12, 1955) is a Senegalese singer and musician in the mbalakh genre. Seck comes from a family of "griot" singers from the Wolof people of Senegal. His first job was with Orchestre Baobab, but he later formed his own band, Raam Daan, which he still heads.
Seck's album Orientation was one of four nominated for BBC Radio 3's World Music Album of the Year in 2006. In much of his music, and notably on this album, Seck experiments with the use of Indian & Arabic scales....
Years active
1970s–present
Associated acts
Orchestre Baobab, Raam Daan"
-snip-
Thione Ballago Seck's son Waly Seck is also a popular singer.
****
SHOWCASE VIDEO : THIONE BALLAGO SECK / MBAAKH
mor talla BYFALL, Published on Aug 23, 2012
la belle voix de thione ballago seck sur un rythme de mbalakh bien arrange donne ce beau tube MBAAKH de l'album DIAGA.video réalisée par serigne mor talla niang (BYFALL)
-snip-
Google translate from French to English with my guesses to correct that translation given in brackets:
the beautiful voice of thione seck Ballago [performs "Mbalakh" from the wonderful album "Diaga". the video is produced by serigne mor talla niang (BYFALL)]
-snip-
Selected comment from this video's discussion thread:
Unless otherwise noted, the non-English comments are in French and include Google translate from French to English. My standard American "translation" of these English translations are sometimes given in brackets.
BIAYE MAMADOULAMINE, 2012
comme toujours THIONE le monument de la musique sénégalaise est revenu avec ce beau tube merci!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
-snip-
as always THIONE the monument of Senegalese music returned with this beautiful [video] thank you !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
**
Celestin Bedzigui, 2014
Camerounais vivnat aux USA et bien que ne comprenant pas un seul mot, cette voix et la musique sont d' une beaute ''universelle''... Je ne comprends d' ailleurseurs pas pourquoi malgre sa beaute et l' energie et la qualite de ses clips, en dehors de Youssou Ndour, la musique senegalaise ne s' exporte pas plus. Je ne viens que de decouvrir Thione Seck, l autre jeune Seck, ou Pape ...l autre... Des voix et des musiques extraordinaires !!!!!
-snip-
[I am a] Cameroonian living in the US and despite not having a single word, the voice and music of a beauty '' universal '' ... I do not understand of ailleurseurs why despite its beauty and the energy and quality his videos, apart from Youssou Ndour, the Senegalese music s not export more. I only come to discover Thione Seck, the other young Seck, Pape ... or the other ... Voices and extraordinary music !!!!!
This is Part III of a three part pancocojams series about Senegalese baby naming ceremonies/parties (ngentes; also found as nguentes and nguenté.
Part III showcases a Senegalese video of "Nguenté" by Fata (also known as "El Presidente") featuring Mbaye Dieye & Waly Seck. Fata (El Presidente) is a Senegalese Hip Hop recording artist. Mbaye Dieye and Waly Seck are Senegalese Mbalax recording artists.
Selected comments from that YouTube video's discussion thread are also included in that post. Many of those comments are written in French or in Spanish. Google translate translations to English of those comments are also given in this post.
The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to Fata, Mbaye Dieye, and Waly Seck for their musical performances. Thanks to all those who produced this video, and thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. Thanks also to the publisher of this video on YouTube.
Disclaimer:
It's the policy of this blog not to feature videos or sound files that contain profanity. I don't speak any language besides English. Hopefully, the lyrics in this Hip Hop video are clean. If not, I offer my apologies.
****
INFORMATION ABOUT THESE SENEGALESE RECORDING ARTISTS
Note: Excerpts #1 & #2 are given in this post as they are written in English. Excerpt #3 is translated from French to English by Google Translate.
FATA (EL PRESIDENTE)
From http://www.africafilms.tv/en/personnes/1152
"Fata (El Presidente) Rapper (Sengal)
Whose real name is Moustapha Gnigue, Fata "El presidente " was born in 1976 in Saint Louis in northern Senegal. He made his first steps in the hip hop movement when he was just 12 years old at the opening ceremony of his college CEM Henry Guillabert . The young , reckless and brave , proposes to go on stage to present his first show , he had not prepared text ... Public reaction invigorates the young man then rushes in research models , inspiration like Mc Solaar , Benny B and other pioneers of American rap .
His career starts and he do duets with singers known as Viviane Chidid ... This mixture of Rap / styles Mbalax , earned him criticism from his peers . Very tenacious, Fata managed to win and be loved by the Senegalese public.
He also worked as an animator of rap emissions at 2stv and made some appearances in the TV movies " Bégué time" [by] Papis Niang"
Now, Mbaye Dieye Faye is famous singer and percussionist in Senegal. He makes rhythm in his music, the Mbalax...
Mbaye Dieye Faye is the percussionist of ”Super Etoile” band. But he has a tendency to sing at the same time with Youssou Ndour. He plays an important role in the band. Mbaye Dieye Faye has his own style in music, very much appreciated by Senegalese people, particularly women. In “Mbalax” rhythm, he introduced—as he calls it—“Khorom” (Salt ). Nobody can dance to his music without getting tired. Indeed, it is very hard to follow his drums. And it’s like making sport, because dancing his music means jumping, moving one’s body, and all members. So, nothing must be calm.
The role of Mbaye Dieye Faye in the band is also to make entertainment adequately. He is a griot, a repository of oral tradition, a praise singer, but he is more interested in singing love and romance. Most of the time he uses “Tassou”, a kind of speech with some rhythms, reminding one of rap music. That is mainly for amusing people, but often, speeches contain vulgar expressions. And for him, it is for exciting dancers, and having them moving more."...
****
WALLY SECK
From https://www.wallyseck.com/site-officiel/biographie.html
[translated from French to English by Google Translate]
"Coming from a griot family, Waly Seck was born April 27, 1985 in the Senegalese capital. Early on, he had a penchant for football...
Meanwhile, Thione Seck is a monument of Senegalese music and an internationally renowned artist prepared the ground for his son. He found him a place in his group what the RAAM DAAN. ... since childhood, [Wally had been used] to sing and act out the songs of his father. You will understand by this that it was not very difficult for Thione Seck to Wally what it has become today.
The return of the prodigal son has wreaked havoc in Senegal. Because with the release of his first single DIOUDO BO-end 2007, the melodious voice of Wally has delighted many. Three years after the release of his single, precisely December 17, 2010, Wally Seck released his first album entitled VOGLIO; which means wanting in Italian. An album of 7 songs which was appreciated and that allowed him to impose his brand....
With [his] 3rd album, Wally has shown once again that he is the worthy heir of Thione Seck. As stated so well the adage "good blood can not lie.""
Artbimanageman,Published on Nov 2, 2013
el presidenté avec waly seck et mbaye faye un vrai chef d'oeuvre regarder etapprecier
[Google Translate from French to English: El Presidente with waly seck and Mbaye Faye a true masterpiece watch [and appreciate]
-snip-
"Nguente" = Senegalese baby naming ceremony/party
****
SELECTED COMMENTS
These comments are presented in chronological order with the oldest dated comment given first. These comments may not be in consecutive order. I've assigned numbers to this comments for referencing purposes only.
I've only included comments in English, in French, or Spanish. The Google translate to English translations of the French and the Spanish comments are included after those comments.
My American English translations of those translations are sometimes also given. I planned to refrain from commenting about some of these comments, but I didn't completely succeed. In addition to sharing my thoughts on the saying "Keep it up" and the combining of African American slang with French or Spanish, I've included some information that I found online about the word "machala" (marshallah" and similar spellings). That word was frequently included in comments, and I was curious to know what it meant.
2013
1. Aissatou Niane
"Waly il chante bien,c magnifique"
-snip-
Waly he sings well, beautiful c
[Google translate French to English]
**
2. Oumie Mahmud
"Awsomee!!. I waited for this video ever since the "making off" was uploaded. Love the talented trio. Thank you Art B"
**
3. ManSour Djite
"Nice Fat boy!!! Thia kaw thia kanam! Mixage bien réussi!!! Proud of our culture!!!"
-snip-
I think that the middle part of this comment may be in Wolof. I don't think that "Fata" really translates to the English word "fat". Perhaps that was a typo or mistranslation on the part of the commenter. Which leads me to ask, is "Fata" a Wolof nickname, and if so what name does it come from?
**
4. sidi mohamed fall
"fata est un homme simple"
-snip-
Fata is a simple man
[Google translate from French to English]
I think “simple” here means meaning non-pretentious, not one to put on airs, [act important]]
**
5. amina gning
"VRAIMENT TROP NICE TROIS STYLES DE MUSIQUE DANS UN MEME SON !! machala chacun a assuré en plus la qualité du son et de la video est tres bonne"
-snip-
REALLY TOO NICE THREE MUSICAL STYLES IN ITS SAME !! machala each assured more quality sound and video is very good
[Google translate from French to English]
-snip-
Read the Addendum below for information about the word "machala" and similarly spelled words that are found in these comments.
**
6. abdoulaye sow
"la réalité des senegalais"
-snip-
the reality of Senegalese
[Google translate from French to English.
My translation of Google translate- [This video] shows how Senegalese really live.
**
7. Ousmane Diagne
"C est cool le clip big up"
-snip-
I guessed this one: This is a cool video [clip]. Big up.
[Notice the combination of French, African American Vernacular English, standard English, and Jamaican Patois.]
**
8. Mbaye ndiaye
Une idee tres original bonne kontinuation lé gars
-snip-
A very original idea good luck guys
[Google translate from French to English]
****
2014
9. Omar Ndiaye
"he volto escuchar mencanta las palabra el ritmo et la musica"
-snip
I returned to hear the word I love the rhythm in music
[Google translate from Spanish to English]
**
10. Mariama Dieng
"trés bonne musique machalla rien que de la classe et de l'originalité. bravo à fata, waly et Mbaye dièye faye"
-snip-
very good music machallah nothing but class and originality. Congratulations to fata, waly and Mbaye Faye Dièye
[Google translate from French to English]
**
11. aminata samb
"vous chante bien machallah bonne continuation"
-snip-
machallah you sing well good luck
[Google translate from French to English]
**
12. adaleite noorr
"trèeeeees nice le clip!!!! Tous mes encouragements et bonne continuation El Presidente"
-snip-
Here's my guess:
very nice clip (video). You have my encouragement and best wishes [for your continued success], El Presidente.
**
13. oumie ceesay
"Wally i love u the voice is so so specia just like your
dad.Karrmasalla wally"
**
14. DIOP Khady
"tro cool ton new style de rap fata, jadore"
-snip-
I guessed this one: Too cool, very [?] new style of rap, Fata. I love it.
**
15. Sarah Janneh
"Nice song keep it up"
-snip-
The saying “keep it up” is found in discussion threads for a lot of contemporary African music. I think it’s like the American saying “Keep up the good work”; meaning [I wish you] “continued success.” I also wonder if the phrase "bonne continuation" which Google translate translated to "good luck" might also be a form of that "keep it up" saying.
**
16. Ansou Camara
"hahahahah la verdad Fata eres grande y todos tu compañantes habéis trabajado en este clip ¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡ qui siguais asi para siempre.
la canción es super bien y el video "
-snip-
hahahaha truth Fata are great and all your companions have worked in this clip qui siguais like this forever.
the song is super good and video
[Google translate from Spanish to English]
**
Mame Absa Gueye
17. "c juste un HIT"
-snip-
c just a HIT
[Google translate from Spanish to English] Note the combination of Spanish with an English word.
**
18. modou ba
"c bien chante par waly seck"
-snip-
Google translate from French to English
c [Does "c" mean "This is?] a good song [great singing] by Waly Seck.
-snip-
My American English translations or guesses are in the brackets.
****
2015
19. Luno Maker
"Le premier clip de rappeur qui a atteind le Million de Vues, Congrats El Presidente"
-snip-
The first clip rapper who has reached the Million Views, Congrats El Presidente
[Google translate from French to English]
My American English translation of that translation: “The first rap video to reach a million v iews. Congrats El Presidente." I'm assuming that the commenter meant "the first Senegalese rap video or the first African rap video to reach one million views...
That video has 1,136,737 2/7/2016 viewer hits as of 2:25pm EST February 7, 2016.
**
20. Thierno Fata
"jécoute toujour cet music fata 4ever"
-snip-
I listen to this music toujour fata 4ever
[Google translate- French to English]
**
21. Souleymane Bah
"Cool"
**
22. maxentos kroos
"moy bomb"
-snip-
I think "moy" may be the Spanish word "muy" (English= very) and
"bomb" is African American Vernacular English (slang) for something that is dynomite (hot) = very good.
****
2016
23. Abdoulaye Diallo
"cool"
**
Seydou Seck
"+ibu hallucinant Mamadou Seck"
-snip-
Mamadou Seck amazing + ibu
[Google translate from French to English]
****
ADDENDUM: WHAT "MACHALA" (MASHALLAH) AND JAZAK ALLAHU KHAYRAN MEAN
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mashallah
"Mashallah (Arabic: ما شاء الله, mā shāʾa llāhu), also masha'Allah, is an Arabic phrase that expresses appreciation, joy, praise, or thankfulness for an event or person that was just mentioned. While mashallah is used as an expression of respect, it also serves as a reminder that all accomplishments are considered by Muslims to be achieved through the will of Allah. It is generally said upon hearing good news.
In some Muslim cultures, people may utter mashallah in the belief that it may help protect them from jealousy, the evil eye, or a jinx. In Islamic aqeeda (matters that are believed with certainty), it is understood that protection comes only from Allah…
Examples]
Person A: I have just become a father!
Person B: Mashallah!
Person A: Your house is beautiful, mashallah!
Person B: Jazakallahu khayran!
-anip-
"Machalla" and similarly spelled words derive from the Arabic word "mashallah".
Information about the meaning of "Jazakallahu khayran" is found below.
****
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jazak_Allah
..."Although the common Arabic word for "thanks" is shukran (شكرًا), jazāk Allāhu khayran is often used by Muslims instead, in the belief that one cannot repay a person enough, and that Allah is able to reward a person the best. Often the response to jazāk Allāhu khayran is wa ʾiyyākum (وإيّاكم), which means "And to you". A more formal reply is "w-antum fa-jazākum Allāhu khayran" (وَٱنْتُمْ فَجَزَاكُمُ اللَّهُ خَيْرًا) which means "And you too, may Allah reward you with goodness"".
This is Part II of a three part series about Senegalese baby naming ceremonies/parties (ngentes; also found as nguentes and nguenté.
Part II provides information about gewel (griots), Mbalax, and Senegalese Hip Hop. These topics are larger than the subject of "ngentes". However, the information that is found in this post helps provide background for those non-Senegalese watching the video entitled "Nguente" that is showcased in Part III of this pancocojams series.
Selected comments from that YouTube video's discussion thread are also included in that post. Many of those comments are written in French or in Spanish. Google translate translations to English of those comments are also given in this post.
The content of this post is presented for cultural purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
****
DEFINITIONS OF THE WORDS GRIOTS & INFORMATION ABOUT GRIOTS (GEWELS) IN SENEGAL
From http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/griot
"Origin of the word "griot" = "1955-60; < French, earlier guiriot, perhaps ultimately < Portuguese criado domestic servant, altered in W African coastal creoles"
**
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mbalax
..."Senegalese songs are usually unwritten, and certain instruments or musical styles are reserved for specific genders or age groups. In the past, only griots could perform music. Their traditional role was transmitting oral history, genealogies and social rankings, diplomacy, and storytelling. Today, griots continue to participate in naming ceremonies, weddings, and funerals."...
**
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Senegalese_hip_hop
"History Of Griots
Prior to the wide spread of hip hop in Senegal, traditional music was transcended through pre-ordained griots. The term griot, also known as gewel, can be defined as, "… traditional praise-singer, musician, social go-between, counselors, or dancer and acrobat," [3] These individuals were born into, "endogamous, professionally specialized group often referred to as a 'caste'." [3] Their position in Senegal society was that of much importance for griots were are also known for their abilities as oral specialist who, "…had to guarantee not only the survival of their people as a culturally and historically defined group, but also the social status of the nobles they were attached to." [3] Griots were culturally responsible for knowing their genealogies in speaking and in song, to recite for the nobles.
Through they were not considered "upper-class", they were given food, clothing, jewels, land and slaves for their work. "While they could attain high individual status through their work and their social behaviors, their social status as a group was low. They depended economically on the nobles who paid them for their services, they could not attain positions of political power, and they were not allowed to bear arms…" [3] Understanding their role in society is understanding the importance of expression in Senegal. As historians, entertainers, and musicians, griots were influential in many ceremonies, such as weddings, funerals, births, religious parades, and politics, for they used song and speech to recite important information with the usage of praise songs."
-snip-
This excerpt is reformmated for this post to enhance reading clarity.
Note that the Wolof word for "griots" is "gewel". Also note that both males and females can be gewel (griots).
****
INFORMATION ABOUT MBALAX MUSIC
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mbalax
"Mbalax (or Mbalakh) is the national popular dance music of Senegal and the Gambia. Mbalax is a fusion of popular Western music and dance such as jazz, soul, Latin, and rock blended with sabar, the traditional drumming and dance music of Senegal. The genre's name derived from the heavy use of accompanying rhythms used in sabar called mbalax.
History and influence
Mbalax (meaning rhythm in the Wolof language), is a type of music that traces some of its technique to the conservative and the religious Serer music tradition of Njuup (the progenitor of Mbalax), developed in Senegal in the early 1970s. Like many other francophone West African countries the Senegalese popular music scene was partially influenced by soul, blues, jazz, R&B, and rock from the United States, varieté from France, Congolese rumba, and Latin pop from the Caribbean and New York (e.g., pachanga, son, charanga, salsa, and Latin jazz) .[citation needed] In this mix of African diasporic sounds Senegalese fans and musicians wanted their own urban popular dance music so they began singing in Wolof (Senegal's lingua franca) instead of French, and incorporated rhythms of the indigenous sabar drum (see Mangin[1]). Dancers began using moves associated with the sabar, and tipping the singers as if they were traditional griots.
Among the bands that played this new style, Etoile de Dakar (starring Youssou N'Dour and El Hadji Faye), and Raam Daan (starring Thione Seck), Xalam II, and Super Diamono. Since becoming popular, both Mbalax and its associated dance have spread to other regions such as Mali, Mauritania, Ivory Coast and France. This dissemination has come about through radio, audio cassettes and televised video clips.
Mbalax instrumentation includes keyboards, synths and other electronic production methods. However, it is the Nder (lead drum), the Sabar (rhythm drum), and the Tama (talking drum) percussion, and widely influenced African and Arabic vocalistic stylings that continue to make Mbalax one of the most distinctive forms of dance music in west Africa and the diaspora"....
-snip-
Read the excerpt about griots above.
Thione Seck is the father of Waly Seck who is featured in the video that is showcased in Part III of this series.
****
INFORMATION ABOUT SENEGALESE HIP HOP https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Senegalese_hip_hop
"Senegalese hip hop began to emerge in the early 1980s. When hip hop first hit the scene in Africa, it went from merely being a fad, to a more social and political movement. Amongst the most influential leaders of this movement were artists from the country of Senegal. With the modernization of the country, and the rise in media, the youth of Senegal were able to embrace a new form of expression. One of the main reasons why hip hop has become preeminent in Senegal is due to its mixture of sound and culture. "Senegal's hip hop scene is distinctive and its artist extremely talented. The country has a history of strong musical traditions..." [1] Moreover, hip hop has not only become an aspect of life for the Senegalese people, but more importantly has translated to a way of life, gathering influence from the musical expression prior to its rise in Senegal, and understanding their past as it pertains heavily to its socially present state within music...
Modern Griots and Modern Music[edit]
After World War II, there was a rise in the night club scene where more diverse forms of music began to be played by foreigners. Coincidentally enough, Senegal became very much interested in the new form of fashion. However, this allowed non-griots the opportunity to capture persons which was once the job of the griots. While there was much competition between the two, modern day griots used their positions as a way to incorporate modern day music. While in modern-day Senegal, griots can be placed in three categories. "Those who have decided to refrain from practicing their hereditary profession and have taken up some other occupation; those who continue to perform, without innovation, and those who have managed to find or create a new kind of occupation that still seems to fit the traditional griots' ethos adapting the art of their ancestors to modern requirements and possibilities." [3] The griot's position in society, most relevant to modern day music, are those who use their song and dance as a new kind of occupation while still practicing the traditional legacies of past griots. These individuals are still highly respected for their responsibilities, and have also become incorporated in popular music culture. "Praise songs, far from being superseded, have instead become incorporated into popular music..." [3] Today, "griots have found new meaning for old customs, and new functions for old skills," [3] Although they originated from a caste which held no political power, modern griots still hold much power and status and are better off in life then modern families.
-snip-
Read the excerpt about griots above.
I've included a tag for "African Hip Hop" and intend to feature other videos of African Hip Hop artists, in addition to the video that is showcased in Part III of this series.
Selected comments from that YouTube video's discussion thread are also included in that post.
The content of this post is presented for anthropological and cultural purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post.
-snip-
Update: February 8, 2016- I just found this article on 2013 informative and well written blog post about Senegalese "ngentes": http://senegalesekathryn.blogspot.com/2013_07_01_archive.html
****
FEATURED EXCERPTS
EXCERPT #1:
This excerpt is from pages 137-138 of the Google books portion of the 2007 book Masters of the Sabar: Wolof Griot Percussionists of Senegal By Patricia Tang (Temple University Press). Here's some information about this book from http://www.amazon.com/Masters-Sabar-Percussionists-Senegal-Soundscapes-ebook/dp/B0037CFDN2#customerReviews
"Masters of the Sabar" is the first book to examine the music and culture of Wolof griot percussionists, masters of the vibrant sabar drumming tradition. Based on extensive field research in Senegal, this book is a biographical study of several generations of percussionists in a Wolof griot (gewel) family, exploring and documenting their learning processes, repertories, and performance contexts-from life-cycle ceremonies to sporting events and political meetings. Patricia Tang examines the rich history and changing repertories of sabar drumming, including dance rhythms and bakks, musical phrases derived from spoken words. She notes the recent shift towards creating new bakks which are rhythmically more complex and highlight the virtuosity and musical skill of the percussionist. She also considers the burgeoning popular music genre called mbalax. The compact disc that accompanies the book includes examples of the standard sabar repertory, as well as bakks composed and performed by Lamine Toure and his family drum troupe."
-snip-
Excerpts of pages 137-138.
Note that the words given in italic were given as they appeared in this book excerpt for accent marks in the spelling of many of those words. Masters of the Sabar: Wolof Griot Percussionists of Senegal By Patricia Tang
"At both weddings and naming ceremonies, sabars take place in the afternoon, after the rituals and ceremonies are completed and the celebrations is to begin.
At a ngente or marriage a large tarp or open-sided tent with chairs under it is usually set up in the street outside the house. The tent symbolizes a sort of extension of the household, keeping the event an essentially private affair, despite it being in the “public” street. This distinguishes it from a tannibeer, which never takes place under a tent, and is always an open, public event.
A ngente is usually an all-day affair. In the morning the men (male relatives and other distinguished friends of the head of the household), come to pay their respects and praise the baby. It is in the morning that the baby is named as well. Laax which is served at Korite (A Muslim holiday to be discussed later), is traditionally served on the morning of a ngente. Lunch will be ceebu yapp, a rice and meat dish, cooked with the sacrificial sheep. The men slaughter the sheep in the morning, after which the women griots busily prepare cooking it.
Although all sorts of friends and family visit the household throughout the day, the men primarily come in the morning, whereas the afternoon is the time for women (and, not so coincidentally, is also when the sabar takes place.). All guests bring a small monetary gift (ndawtal) to the mother to congratulate her and to help with the cost of the ngente (which can be a very expensive affair, between renting chairs, the sabar group, and providing food and drink for everyone).
In contrast to its role at a tannibeer, which is a dance event which is also an occasion for drummers to show off their virtuosity and showcase bakks, the sabar’s role at an ngente (and marriage) is purely functional: to accompany dance. The drummers play dance rhymes*... Normally they play a set for an hour or so, break for a big late lunch, then resume playing later in the later afternoon. Naturally, the drummers engage in woyang, praising the mother or whatever other prominent people are around, thus eliciting money for them”...
*The word "rhythms" here probably means "rhythms". The names of various rhythms are given in this passage.
[page 138]
"A Special Ngente Ceremony: “Bekete”
In addition to the naming, dancing, and other festivities common to all Senegalese baptisms, people of the Lebou origin, descendant from Diagne Ndoye and Diagne Mbaye, celebrate a special ngente ritual called bekete. Since Mbayes are of gewel** origin, the Mbaye family considers bekete to be an important gewel tradition and performs it every time a new baby is born into the family.
Bekete is a ritual of protection. As Macheikh Mbaye explains
'Bekete is a means of protecting the child. When the child is eight days old, we will celebrate bekete in order to protect him. We will protect him from the evil spirits, from any type of accident, from evil tongue (caat)- because some tongues will destroy anything when they talk about it. We will protect him/her also from the evil eye; that’s what bekete is all about- to protect the survival of the child, that’s all.' (3/9/98)
-snip-
Gewels = griots. Information about gewels (griots) is given in Part II of this series.
****
EXCERPT #2:
This 2005 blog post was written by a White woman from the United Sates. In her 2005 profile she described herself as a teacher living in Dakar, Senegal for nine years with her husband. The blog post describes the amended form of a ngente (Senegalese baby naming ceremony/party) that the couple held for their two month old daughter.
This excerpt focuses on the blogger's descriptions of the baby naming ceremony/party. I reformatted this excerpt for this post to enhance reading clarity.
Well, we are busy preparing for Mariama's ngente. What is an ngente you say? It is what the people here in Senegal call a naming ceremony. It is typically held on the eightth day after a child is born. Until that time, the child's name is not spoken by the parents to anyone.
Typically the ceremony takes place about ten in the morning which includes a prayer of sorts, shaving the head as part of their tradition, and the announcing of the name. At about this time is when the sheep is killed, out of sacrifice or celebration, it is unclear. Before the ceermony takes place though, they begin to serve the laax. Laax is a grain that is made into powder and then formed into the consistency of oatmeal and then served with a sweet milky yogurt over it. It is really delicious! After the sheep has been killed, cooking of lunch begins, which is always "ceebu yap" (rice and meat), which is a signature Senegalese dish. This is generally served about 2:00, since they will serve the laax to anyone who comes until about noon. The lunch is served on large platters around which about 6 people will eat, in Senegalese fashion...
After lunch, guests are served some drink, generally cokes, frozen juice from a store, or one of the homemade Senegalese jus, which are not like anything we drink in the states, but they are delicious. This is finished about three or four o'clock. Often for the Senegalese, the day does not end here. They may serve leftovers of lunch to those who come around 5:00, and then will serve a dinner around 8:00. But also around 6:00, there is the exchanging of gifts between the families. The family of the mother of the baby and the family of the father of the baby essentially compete to outgive gifts to the other side of the family. If good enough gifts are not given by one side, not only does it insult the other side of the family, but it also causes the side who gives inadequately to be looked down on by all the neighbors because everyone is watching this event. Yeah, no pressure here!!!...
The mother of the baby is called the "boroom ngente", meaning lord of the ngente. The boroom generally wears a different outfit for every meal, getting more expensive as the day goes on. I will wear a nice outfit I already have for the morning but am getting a new outfit for the afternoon lunch time. Her hair and makeup are very fixed and very heavy generally."...
****
EXCERPT #3:
This 2012 blog post was written by a White woman from the United States who identified herself as a Peace Corp volunteer. The nguenté that this blogger attended was held for the fifth born child of her (Senegalese) host mother.
This excerpt focuses on the blogger's descriptions of the baby naming ceremony/party.
From https://lesvoyagesdejulia.wordpress.com/2012/10/18/a-senegalese-ngente/ Posted on October 18, 2012 by juliaschroer
"Yesterday, I had the pleasure of experiencing my first Senegalese ‘ngente’ or naming ceremony. An ngente is a special day where family, friends, and neighbors gather to celebrate the birth of a new baby by enjoying yummy food, presenting gifts, and attending the Islamic naming ceremony. The affair seems to be a cross between a Christian baptism and an American baby shower. The ngente happens exactly a week after the baby is born. The baby girl was born on October 10th, so the party was yesterday, October 17th. During those first seven days, my host mom didn’t leave the house and tended the new baby 24/7. I am really impressed by how self-reliant my host-mom is and how she handled the pregnancy (I moved into when she was in her 7th month) and delivery with such a cool head and calm disposition!
Yesterday, everyone gathered at our house early in the morning and the women started to prepare breakfast – lahk (millet and yogurt deliciousness). At some point in the morning, the father of the child and his posse of friends meet with the Imam (religious leader) to discuss the child’s name for the naming ceremony. The mom gets to put in her request for the name, but ultimately the dad decides the official name (though the mom might still call the baby what she wants).
After surviving a morning full of anticipation, the Imam and father announce the name of the child, Miriam! The name is very important. Every child is named after someone, called a homonym or namesake. The person who the baby is named after becomes like the Christian idea of a godparent. It is a huge honor for a child to be named after you and you play a special role in the child’s life, like taking a particular interest in their well-being and giving gifts and helping out if ever something happens to the parents...
At one point in the day, I realized the baby’s hair was all gone. She was born with a lovely amount of fuzz giving pretty full head coverage. Then I remembered reading in our cross cultural manuals that there is a Senegalese tradition of shaving the baby’s head on the day of the ngente. My cross cultural notes explain “the ceremony is composed of shaving the hair of the baby, then the Imam or a learned man rubs his hand over the child’s head, prays and spits in its ears the name by starting from the right. Finally, a sheep is killed in its honor.” Another Senegalese tradition I’ve observed involving a new baby, or small children in general, is to make sure they are always wearing “binbins”. A binbin is a string with special beads worn around the stomach, arm, or throat, to ward off evil spirits and protect health of the child.
After the announcement, it is time to kill the sheep! Everyone gravitated towards the backyard at this point where the sheep was killed – the men did the dirty work and the women generally don’t watch, but may take a fleeting glance to see the progress. As soon as the deed is done, breakfast is distributed and the women get down to business and start preparing lunch (this happened around 10:30/11 am)...
-snip-
This blog post continues with a description of the lunch and evening meal, as well as some other comments. The blogger indicates that she was concerned about having to give a monetary gift for the ngente, but no collection was taken. She speculates that maybe this was because her host mother was well off and this was her fifth child. The blogger also indicates that there was no band for this ngente.
