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Malinke hunter - Col. FREY, Côte occidentale d'Afrique - views, scenes, drawings of Jeanniot, Bretennier, Darondeau, Fernando, Nousveaux, Phillipe - 1890 - Gallica (Bnf) |
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« Kulandjan » is one of the most famous folksongs of the Mandeka tradition, especially of Mali.
It means, in the beginning, the golden eagle, symbol of the best hunter of the savannah.
It dates back to the origins of the legendary times of the kingdom of Manding, maybe he was already sung at the time of the empire of Wagadou. Anyway, it belongs to the cycle of the Epics of the Hunters.
« Kulandjan » was the name of a mythic hunter of Mali famous for his mastery in the art of hunting and very well versed in other occult arts specific to the world of Manding hunting. So, jèlílujèlílu (plural, jèlílu) are bards, loremasters, and praise-singers in the Manding areas whose functions are story-telling, speaking about lineages, singing and playing music as they want and hear it. use to sing the chorus :
Ah, Bala Kulandjan,
"Simbo" (1), undisputed Hunter,
Great giant long-crested, (2) Magha Sûbâ,
I wish you a long life !
The main topic tune of this song has been taken by Banzûma Sissokho to be used as a basis for the national anthem of Mali at the time of its creation.
Today still « this song is sung by the jèlíjèlí (plural, jèlílu) is bard, loremaster, and praise-singer in the Manding areas whose functions are story-telling, speaking about lineages, singing and playing music as he wants and hears it. and devoted to an eminent man in Manlinke countries. The jèlíjèlí (plural, jèlílu) is bard, loremaster, and praise-singer in the Manding areas whose functions are story-telling, speaking about lineages, singing and playing music as he wants and hears it. shows by the finger that man he sings for. Sometimes the tune is sung again in chorus by the Choir.»
Mamady Kaba, Anthology of Manding songs, pp. 62-63 - [ see bibliography]
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(2). Magha Sûbâ, i.e. : "Mighty sorcerer of the Night" : honorific title dedicated to the sorcerer who reached the highest degree in occult knowledge. See the song «Sûbâ». [back to lyrics] |
Famous performers of « Kulandjan » :
« A beautiful melting of traditional blues and music from Mali by two great masters. » said President Barack Obama about album Kulanjan of Toumani Diabate & Taj Mahal, quoted in Borders website, Nov, 4, 2008. |