Translation of the song lyrics Namania - Habib Koite, Bamada

Namania (original)

I go to my little black girl
My little Moorish girl with ebony skin
The star that shines in the shade of the tomonon *
The unique beauty of the Moorish region
I go to Aiché, the Moorish girl
Oh, thank you God!
To have put her on my path
That all envious pass
Because I do not want to lose her like
I lost the great cailcedras* on the banks of the river Kayidin
I am afraid you will disappear from my sight Where are you then my little ebony
girl?
Are you dancing on the festival square?
Namania, despite your aquiline nose, your limpid eyes
Your slenderness, your long neck
Your long arms, your clear skin
You will never equal the little black ebony girl Mama Djombo!
guardian of young
initiates
Come to my aid… she is so beautiful.
(* types of trees found in Kayes, Mali)

Namania (translation)

I go to my little black girl
My little Moorish girl with ebony skin
The star that shines in the shade of the tomon *
The unique beauty of the Moorish region
I go to Aiche, the Moorish girl
Oh, thank you God!
To have put her on my path
That all envious pass
Because I do not want to lose her like
I lost the great cailcedras* on the banks of the river Kayidin
I am afraid you will disappear from my sight Where are you then my little ebony
girl?
Are you dancing on the festival square?
Namania, despite your aquiline nose, your limpid eyes
Your slenderness, your long neck
Your long arms, your clear skin
You will never equal the little black ebony girl Mama Djombo!
guardian of young
initiates
Come to my aid… she is so beautiful.
(* types of trees found in Kayes, Mali)