Today was the first time I heard about the Wassoulou language and it came to me through the sensual voice of Fatoumata Diawara. Fatoumata is a talented singer of Malian origin who successfully merges her Wassoulou musical heritage with more global influences to create a unique mesmerizing style.
Here is ‘Bissa’, one of the songs featured in her debut album :
Lyrics translation:
They wanted to give me to a man, but I refused, as I didn’t love him
I want to choose a man for myself, who I love
I love Bourama, but he didn’t treat me right
I love Sola, but he didn’t treat me right
I love Alama, but he didn’t treat me right
Chorus
So what to do?
So what to do?
So what to do?
So what to do?
They wanted to give me to a man, but I refused, as I didn’t love him
I wanted to choose a man myself, who I love
I love Bourama, but he didn’t treat me right
I love Sola, but he didn’t treat me right
I love Alama, but he didn’t treat me right
Chorus
I rejected everyone
As you are the one I love
How did you do this to me?
How could you do it? x3
How could you do it to me?
You reject the man that you love because he has nothing
To go after another who has material wealth
You accept another man because of his possessions
Now he’s also getting rid of you, as he has the means to
Chorus x2
This post was inspired by xworldmusic. Vielen Dank!
Maneno Matamu ~ sweet words 
So much thanks, amazing post. Thanks for these great lyrics and interpretation, so, so much thanks! The lyrics are so nice…!
Greetings and like your blog so much!!!
xandi
Well thank YOU for sharing this music with us in the first place!
This is a good post for I. W. Day! She should consider herself lucky that non of these guys liked her to the point to mary her. She would not have had time to sing or even complain!
Men are bad to women, although they are an unavoidable complement.
Yes, I thought so too! Though I didn’t mention International Women’s Day explicitly, it was indeed on my mind.
Men are more than an unavoidable complement, Abdoulaye. Or rather, they should be…