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Aquarel of Christiane Javaux - Jeune malienne d'après une photo de Lydia
Vall de Perez
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 « In the beginning, « Sara » was a story which was sung. The song split of the story ; it became a song for faithful
lovers. Then, because of many dubious meanings of the word « Sara », the song changed again ; today, « Sara » is devoted to the man who realized his promise. »(1)
source : Massa Makan Diabaté, Janjon et autres chants populaires du Mali - Translation [bibliography]
The great Malian jèlímusowa jèlí (plural, jèlílu, jèlímusow, feminine) is a
bard, loremaster, and praise-singer in the Manding areas whose functions are story-telling, speaking about lineages... Read more.,
Siramori DiabatéSiramory Diabaté (v. 1925 ~ October, 16, 1989) is hailing from great line of griots from Kela, craddle of Malian traditionists. That group of jèlílu is particularly recognized for the narrations of the Sundjata epics... Read more. has so often performed that song that it became, not only a feminist anthem but also, in a certain way, her signature.
Indeed, « Sara » tells how a young bride loved a young man but who was forced to be married to an another man by her parents,
escaped successfully that forced marriage. She pretended a stomach ache, then that disease became true and incurable, even though all medecines of all doctors trying to heal her. The marriage has to
be broken. Her love was safe.
Performing « Sara »,
Siramori DiabatéSiramory Diabaté (v. 1925 ~ October, 16, 1989) is hailing from great line of griots from Kela, craddle of Malian traditionists. That group of jèlílu is particularly recognized for the narrations of the Sundjata epics... Read more. who used to say that « the woman is the stepping stone of the society and the family a cement of the society », succceded to conciliate, on the opinion of Jan Jansen
ethnomusicologist, who recorded and translated the verses of the entire song from the diva (in January 1989, just before she died), the harsh laws of the tradition and a society ruled mainly par
Moslim religion, and freedom and emancipation desires of Malian women in the 50s.
source : Jan Jansen - Tribute to Siramori Diabate (1996) - Research in African Literatures - Translation
Many Manding artists have sung « Sara ». The
Balla et ses Balladins band popularized the song, modernizing it.
Famous performers of « Sara » :
________
Notes
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(1) Note by Jan Jansen, Tribute to
Siramori Diabate (1996): « Sara » is the name of a girl. However, the word « sara » refers to many other words that - with slight tonal differences - have to do with the things that happen
in the song (see Dumtjer). « Sara » = « death », « furu sara » - the marriage ended in divorce, « sàra » = say goodbye, « sàra » - delightful, attractive, sarati - agreement,
meeting. Therefore, Sara's name is the point of departure for many puns by
Siramori. [back to text]
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[retour] 
Mamoutou Camara dit Mangala, né en 1960 à Kéniéba près de Kayes, commence sa carrière musicale dès 8 ans, malgré l'opposition de sa famille... Lire la suite.
