Stellar Malian actress/songstress Fatoumata Diawara performed with her band at The Sanctuary for Independent Media on April 28, 2016 and brought down the house.
www.mediasanctuary.org
www.fatoumatadiawara.com
Alama
( Bambara)
Nin mun kèr’i la i ta to Ala na kira ma x2
Kabini n’cinini
Ko n’ma n’sunguruba
U ko n’ma jaheli olu ko n’ma nangaraba
Ko n’ma kònò tinyèla u ko n’ma subaga
U ko n’ma jaheli olu ko n’ma nanfigi
Ne dun m’a kun dòn muna makòrò bè n’juguya sa
Ne dun m’a kun dòn muna makòrò bè n’juguya sa uwoo
Chorus:
Nyani Nyani le Nyani Nyani
Sèngèn Sèngèn le Sèngèn Sèngèn x2
A ye n’sòn jila ko ne ko kè n’wolonaw ye
A ye ne sòn kumadala ko ne ko kè n’wolofaw ye
A ye ne sòn hinèla ko ne ko kè n’jigi muso ye
A ye ne sòn hinèla ko ne ko kè n’balemaw ye
A ye ne sòn sabalila ko ne ko kè n’teri muso ye
Ne dun m’a kun dòn muna makòrò bè n’juguya sa uwoo
Ne dun m’a kun dòn muna makòrò bè n’juguya sa, Ala aye
Chorus
Ni n’donna maa min gasila o ka yafa n’ma n’ye denin ye
Ni n’donna maa min gasila o ka yafa n’ma n’ye denin ye
N’ko nin dònkili bè dala jònni ye
Nin dònkili bè dala fatanw nye a bè dala batanw ye dunia
A bè dala jigitanw ye a bè dala batanw ye dunia
Ni n’donna maa min gasila o ka yafa n’ma n’ye deninye hee
Chorus x2

( English )

Whatever happens to you, trust in God x2
Since I was a little girl
I was called a whore, a liar
I was called cheeky, and a witch
People even said I had several abortions
I don’t know why these people attack me
Chorus
What hell; what hell
What suffering; what suffering.
Give me water, so I can give it to my mothers
Give me a voice so that I can talk to my fathers
Give me pity so that I can share it with the woman who supports me
Give me pity so that I can share it with my brothers
Give me tolerance so that I can give it to my friend
I don’t know why these people attack me
Chorus
Sorry if I have offended you, I am only a child
Who is this song for?
I’m singing it for orphans who have no father or mother in the world
For those without hope, and those with no mother in the world
Sorry if I have offended you, I am only a child
Chorus x2
VIDEO PRODUCTION CREDITS
Cameras:
Elizabeth Press
Jay Wilcox
Jill Malouf
Camera assistant: Dylan Bodnar
Sound recording: Troy Pohl
Producer/house sound: Steve Pierce
Director/switcher: Branda Miller
Post production editor: James Bohuski
MUSICIANS
John Bashengazie