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Sundiata Walks!

This is a traditional song performed by Dr. Yacine Kouyate. 
The day that Sassouma Berete insulted Sogolon because Sogolon just wanted some baobab leaves to cook, Sundiata decided that the time was right for him to rise. He called upon his friends. They went to a blacksmith who had prepared a hugh metal bar for him to walk.  They brought the bar. The bar could not support him. They ended up going to the forest and they cut a branch of this special tree. They brought the branch to Sundiata, and Sundiata got up and he walked. While Sundiata walked Sogolon could not believe it.  She couldn't believe it. She started singing.  People came out to help her. And she sang the song that is called, .where she is calling to the women, the people, of Mande to come out and watch the lion walk. 
  1. A ye bo a ye bo Musolu a ye bo (response:Sundiata ta ma) 

    2. Mande musolu ni Mande kebalu Alu bo
    (response: Mari Jata ta ma) 
      Behold! Women of Mande. Behold!
       (Sundiata walks today!)
      Come out!  People of Mande, behold!
      (Jata of Narena walks today!)
  2. Tama Jata tama 

    3. Tama Jata 
    ye tama 
    (repeat) 
      Walk Jata! 
      Walk Jata! 
      Now walk!


    (repeat verse 1) 
     

  3. Bi o bi ka di sa 

    4. Mansa alah ma bi niogo da 
    (repeat) 
      Today is a sweet day! 
      God the king never made today's equal!
    Mansa alah ma bi niogo da (repeat) 

    Verse 1 
    Verse 3

Bambara transliteration: supplied by Dr. Ousmane Macalou.
Phonetic version: (supplied my Michele Delattre) 
  1. A-YE bo,  AYE bo  mu-SO-lu, A-YE bo

    2.  (response: sun-DJA-ta  Ta-me-na) 
    man-DE   MOUSso  ni  man-DE  kay-BA lu  A-lou BO 
    (response: na-RE-na  DJAta  Tamana) 
     
  2. TA-ma  DJA-ta 

    3. TA-ma DJA-ta 
    ee TA-ma 
     
  3. be YO   be-KA-DES-sa 

    4. man-SA  al-LAH  MA-bi NO-gon-da 



 
 

Click here to see Yacine performing on the balafon with Corte Madera Middle School 7th graders. 

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