5 Reasons Why Bambara is one of the Coolest Languages on Earth

by | Nov 23, 2010 | Mali, W. Africa

Bambara is the most widely spoken language in Mali. It bears great similarity to Dioula, the trading language spoken in many parts of the Sahel, including Northern Cote D’Ivoire and parts of Burkina Faso and Niger. Bambara is uncomplicated on the surface. There is no verb conjugation and there aren’t an excessive number of articles. Despite this, it is an incredibly rich language with deep cultural undertones integrated throughout (see my post about visiting Fana for more on these cultural undertones). It is also a tonal language, which adds another layer of complexity.

1. My Mother, My Power

I said this in an earlier post about cousinage: the male and female responses to a greeting are beautiful. If you say good morning to a man, he will respond “N ba” – “my mother.” He is more or less saying thanks to my mother, I am here to receive your greeting. The female response is even better. Instead of N ba, females say “NSe” (like Nsay) – “my power.” The cultural translation: my power as a female always wins against time. I got goosebumps the first time someone explained this to me.

2. The Word for Big

The word for big in Bambara is Bele Bele Ba, pronounced Billy Billy Bah. Hard to think of a word that is more fun to say. Go ahead. Say it.

3. Left and Right

The word for left is actually a few words put together: “nose picking hand.” So if you ask for directions in Bambara and someone tells you to turn left, they are saying “go in the direction of your nose picking hand.” If you are going right, you are going in the direction of your “rice eating hand.” Sweet.

4. Greetings

Many cultures place a special importance on greetings and Mali is no different. This is a typical line of greeting: good morning, how are you? how is the family? did you sleep well? This will then be reciprocated by the other person. With the unique tones of Bambara, this exchange becomes an elegant call-and-response duet.

5. New Words and Being Creative with Old Ones

There are some words in Bambara that have been modified from other languages. For instance, cars are a relatively recent invention and there was not a word for them in Bambara. So they modified a word from European languages and created: mobili, pronounced mo-bi-lee. This is another fun word to say. When airplanes showed up on the scene, however, people didn’t make up a new word. Instead, they decided to call them “flying boats.”

I touch on a few more favorites in this post and this one.

A Few Thoughts on Learning a Local Language

My education in Bambara was stunted by my relatively short stay in Mali. What I did learn was enough to convince me that it is one of the more entertaining languages to speak. While I appreciated its aesthetics and occasional silliness, Bambara also allowed me to get a bit closer to Malians. The first day I started really practicing the language was on the roadside at lunchtime. I greeted the woman selling rice and sauce arachide, asked of her family, and if she slept well. Laughing, she responded to each line. Afterwards, she wore the most endearing smile, the kind of smile that will change your whole day.

Throughout this trip, speaking (or at least trying to) the local language has unlocked situations in ways I could not have imagined. I’m not just talking about the laughter, smiles, and new friends. I’m talking about getting a sense for how Ghanaians and Malians think. There are some things that cannot be neatly translated to French or English. If you can understand how a language operates, you are learning more than a means of communication, you are learning about a culture.

Throughout my trip I’ve come across people that have learned a bit of the local language, but are afraid to speak it. One traveler I met in Ghana at Green Turtle told me he just couldn’t get the pronunciation right. This is silly. If you mispronounce a word, what is the worst that will happen? The person will laugh or they simply won’t understand you. That is the worst thing that will happen. More likely, they will appreciate your effort to speak their language and they will help you pronounce it the right way. The risk/reward ratio here is favorably skewed. Go speak and realize 1) it’s not scarey 2) you will become more confident as you go 3) you will learn the language and 4) you will discover an invaluable connection to a culture.

To my readers with Bambara experience (or anyone who wants to share anything language related in general), feel free to add to this post in the comments. Nana Karabenta? Bintou Traore? I am curious to hear your thoughts, even though you are both bean-eaters. Actually, I take that back. I’m cool with the Karabentas. Traores on the other hand…

And just because:

The girl on the far right is a real rascal if you couldn’t tell already.

40 Comments

  1. Martin

    Do you also get asked to say the words you know in bambara all the time? I get that all the time in dioula and I usually go with:

    Wee-a folla deni
    Diarabi coumba
    and sometimes: boboraba

    But since everybody speaks French all the time, Im not really making much progress. Oh well. I got one more for you. What’s this:

    Name nala.
    Mala raw.
    Niangi noss?
    Boubar!

    Reply
    • phil

      Martin, can you translate these? I’m very curious. Also, you are in Abidjan, or where? I fell in love with Cote D’Ivoire and will soon be back. How is it going with the second round of elections coming up? B well, Phil

      Reply
      • Martin

        Wee-a folla deni: Little lier
        Diarabi coumba: Stubborn darling
        Boboraba: the buttocks

        This is dioula, not sure exactly how similar it is to bambara. The others were greetings in wolof spoken in Senegal and in a few other places.

        Im in Sweden at the moment, but I share your feelings about Cote D’Ivoire and will be back soon!

        The second round, yeah well, I’m mildly pessimistic. But at least they have fun debates on tv. Today is the big one between Gbagbo and Ado and it’ll be streamed live on rti.ci. On http://afrobox.net/page.php?page=1#about one can watch it without the annoying initial commercial.

        Reply
        • phil

          Haha stubborn darling, I love it. I am somewhat pessimistic as well, but I am not on the ground there. Were you traveling in Cote D’Ivoire or living there?

          Reply
          • Reno

            How do you pronounce the words for

            Yes
            Peak
            Power
            Strong

        • DAVID THERA

          Diarabi coumba: Stubborn darling
          hahah that’s so funny
          from today i will start using using that word
          you made my day hahahaaaa

          Reply
  2. Matt

    I find the left hand right hand interesting. In Indonesia the left hand is considered the dirty hand, the one you use for cleaning your business end. So you never extend that hand or offer money with that hand. But they don’t have a cool name for it like “nose picking hand”. Your point on just getting out there and trying to speak the language regardless of mistakes you may make I think is key. We all learn by mistakes, I should know…I make a lot of them. It’s great to read about your language adventures. Thanks for the mention!

    Reply
    • phil

      The Right hand for clean tasks seems to be universal. I’d be very curious to hear of a culture that doesn’t do it that way. Thanks for the comment Matt, your post inspired this one in many ways. B well, Phil

      Reply
  3. Jessica the hedgehog

    Count this post amongst the many others you’ve written which have us convinced that West Africa, in particular Mali, should be one of our next stops. Yay! 🙂

    When we travel, we’re also huge fans of learning as much as we can in the local language. Like you mentioned in your post, it really does allow for more of a connection not only with the people you meet but with the culture you’re experiencing.

    Happy travels!

    Reply
    • phil

      jessica, that is so awesome to hear. I’m glad your digging the Mali content, and thrilled that you want to visit!!!

      Reply
  4. Andi

    I loved this post, because I love languages. This one sounds so fantastic!!! I hope you don’t lose what you’ve learned thus far.

    Reply
    • phil

      Thx Andi. Yeah I’m going to see what I can do in terms of skype and a few friends who have spent time in Mali to keep it going. So easy to forget…

      Reply
      • Ma Traore

        thanks for making my culture my language so special to the world. Power to the bamanan

        Reply
  5. kim

    Hi Phil- loved this blog post! Why did i waste so much time in high school trying to learn French?

    I love the left-hand, right-hand business. I’m in Cambodia still and studying Khmer- thought you would love to know that their direct translation for “how are you?” is “Have you eaten rice yet today?”. awesome!

    I’m going to check out that “fluent in 3 months” site for sure! wish me luck!

    Reply
    • phil

      YES thats what i’m talking about. That is so much better than how are you.
      PS are we still married?

      Reply
  6. Jennifer Barry

    Hi Phil, I can tell I would really like Bambara! I was great at American Sign Language because I would get into using posture, position, speed, facial expressions and intensity to make my point. For example, the difference between a little scared and terrified is all in the body language. Definitely learning Bambara got you an insight into the culture that you never would have otherwise.

    Reply
    • phil

      Jennifer that is so interesting about little scared, or a little terrified in sign language. Are you fluent in ASL?

      Reply
  7. Claire B / Bintou Traore

    ehhhh walai! traore te so dun… e be so dun! i ye sodunna ye! walai!

    -bintou

    Reply
  8. Dieneba

    nice site. I agree, i would love to learn Bambara because i love Malian music. it is also useful in many countries.

    Reply
  9. irina

    hello! i have a favor to ask of you. how do you say “love” in bambara? not ” I love you” just ” love” .

    Reply
    • phil

      Hi Irina, the noun for “love” is “diarabi”

      Reply
      • PAUL WILLIAM DIXON

        Another fan of Malian music here.
        Interesting that love is ‘Diarabi’ – if anyone asks me to suggest the name for a baby girl I’ll suggest Diarabi for sure. So different, so melodious.

        Reply
  10. la vieille

    N be dioulakan fo, which I consider to be a diluted version of Bambara. I’m sure you’re a pro by now….I love that blog!

    Reply
    • phil

      ne be julakan fo dooni. jula ye bamanankan balimace ye 🙂 You’re right they are both very similar. I find that a bambara and dioula speaker can communicate with each other without issue. Thanks 🙂

      Reply
  11. Pamela

    Phil.

    Hi my name is Pamela. Im a Returned Peace Corps Voluteer from Mali.
    I find it funny that while searching Bambara stuff (to continue learning) I ran across your site.

    When I previously left you a comment on twitter (again searching about Mali) just saying k’an bu fo, a few weeks ago. haha random

    Anyway, just wanted to stop and say hi. Bambara truly is one of the coolest languages on earth. I think im probably the only person in Mexico to speak this language.haha

    A reason you didnt mention (but personally its my favorite) is the blessings. I would get at least 10-15 blessings a day. I cant even describe how it would brighten my day.

    Ala la sira diya
    Ala ka keneya

    🙂

    Reply
    • phil

      Hey Pamela, thanks for the comment and I do remember your message on twitter 🙂 You’re right about the blessings and wishes. I think I may have to amend the article and make it 6 reasons!!

      Amina!

      Reply
  12. AGBE

    hello Phil
    I am very delighted in what you have done as research on Bambara language.I am also trying to write something on that language.i got my o’ Level Degree in ENGLISH LINGUISTIC at the University of LOME,before coming in Bamako.And i realize that their mother tongue is a fantastic one .i hope to get many helps from you.i am a Togolese ,even though i don’t understand the language i want to make the attempt.stay strong ,
    yours sincerely,
    AGBE

    Reply
  13. Katie Kante

    There’s a couple of Bambara words in modern songs, not sure if on accident or on purpose. The Bambara word for get down is jiggly. So when Will Smith is getting jiggly with it, he’s getting down. Also, the song iko iko, it says jocoma fina a nana which means the black cat is coming.

    Reply
  14. Shary

    I went to Mali in 1946 when I was 3. I left Mali in 1960, I did have some years in US. We lived out in the bush the only white people. My younger brother and I learned Bambara and that is all we spoke to one another. My parents wanted us to know English also. So we were only allowed to speak English to white adults. An interesting thing happened with that training. When I went back with my Dad in 88. When we were out in the village and he wasn’t around I could talk. I could understand most things all the time but the Bambara side of may brain doesn’t kick in with white people around. I don’t translate in my mind I can only think in one language at a time. I do have a hard time reading but got most of what has been said above. And yes Bambara is a wonderful language.

    Reply
  15. Jane

    Hi Phil! I took several classes in African linguistics years ago, and was especially fond of Bambara. I seem to recall that the phrase “I love you” literally means “you have me”… is that right? Or am I thinking of another language?

    Reply
    • phil

      Hi Jane,
      It literally means “I am with you” which is equally great, I think 🙂

      Reply
      • Christopher Lindstrom

        n b’i fe is I love you and there’s a beautiful multi-lingual song celebrating the expression. Salif Keita’s official song link is here at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gF1pioYXSQk

        I love love Bambara and use it, yes, even in Tokyo! I like “negeso” or iron horse being used to describe a bike or “kumaden” or a syllable being described as a child of speech.

        There are so very many subtle nuances out there to appreciate. Sometimes you can say a word wrong and really embarrass yourself but I will save those words for another time.

        Mali needs a lot of props right now as they are going through a particularly difficult time with terrorism in the north. Anyone that can visit the Capital or further south and/or do business within the country would be a blessing for everyone there!

        Also, the language is full of benedictions for well being. Whenever someone expresses a difficulty, words of benediction and hope are immediately offered up to comfort one’s troubled state.

        Ala ka kelen kelen wuli …. a morning benediction, may everyone wake up one by one…the idea being that then there is nothing wrong, no sudden awakenings/emergencies

        Ala ka dugu nyuman je …may you wake up to a new village

        Ala ka su here dama …may you pass the night in peace

        Wishing you well,

        Christopher dit Seydou Kone Dienta de Djenne

        Reply
        • Jane

          Christopher, thank you for sharing those beautiful blessings. Ala ka kelen kelen wuli is phenomenal! I’ve passed it on to many people!

          Reply
      • Jane

        Yes, that is ridiculously lovely! But doesn’t the possessive construction use “fe” the same way? I’m struggling to recall the project I did on this… the possessive particle ka (so cool) and fe (meaning hand?) and bo (head?) all being used to express different qualities of “having”; you use “fe” to express having something with you/on your person (as in “I have some candy”) but “bo” to express having something but not right at hand (as in “I have a house”)…? So I thought “n b’i fe” could be understood as “you have me, I belong to you, I am at hand” like a possession… Can you clarify? Am I misinterpreting?

        Reply
      • Jay

        How do u say “have patience”

        Reply
  16. Jay

    How do u say the word have in bambara? Or how do u say ” Have patience”?

    Reply
    • phil

      Hi Jay,

      To say “have patience”, you can use the word “sabali” . In what context, do you want to use the verb “to have”?

      Reply
  17. pape Barka

    Hello brother,
    I’m from Mali. It was great reading your blog and I hope you still have some bambara and didn’t lose it all.
    have a great day.
    Blessings.

    Reply
  18. linuxaomi

    Hi Phil,
    last but not least also Bambara became integrated into “AoMi-Vernaculary”.
    Have fun,
    Richard

    PS: use GLOBAL/WW-field for inputting Bambara a.t.l.

    Reply
  19. LINDA MALONE

    Is Bambara the language Salif Keita uses? Is it used in his song poem, Papa (which I found utterly beautiful)? Did I notice a bit of a “French accent” as Keita sang or is that a sound in this glorious language? I found English translation of the song, Tomorrow, but nothing for Papa. Do you know where I might find one? I previously commented that I thought the words reflected reverence and gratitude, expressed in most human and humble terms. Could I have been right about the latter given the nature of Bambara? What about the theme of reverence and gratitude? It would be most interesting if correct, giving credence that music is indeed a universal language. Still want that translation, though. Most importantly, I love the song and want to fully embrace it. Thank you!!

    Reply

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