Le Mali

"Le Mali" (English: "The Mali") is the national anthem of Mali.[1] It was adopted in the early 1960s.

Le Mali

English: Mali
National anthem of  Mali
Also known as	"Pour l'Afrique et pour toi, Mali" or "Afiriki ye ani e ye, Mali" (English: "For Africa and for you, Mali") "A ton appel Mali" (English: "At your call, Mali")
Lyrics	Seydou Badian Kouyaté
Music	Banzumana Sissoko
Adopted	9 May 1962
Audio sample
"Le Mali" (instrumental) file help

Etymology

It is popularly known as "Pour l'Afrique et pour toi, Mali" (French for: "For Africa and for you, Mali") or "A ton appel Mali" (French for: "At your call, Mali").

History

The words were written by Seydou Badian Kouyaté and the music was by Banzumana Sissoko.[1] Adopted as the national anthem in 1962, its themes are patriotism, national, and African unity. It states the willingness of the people of Mali to lay down their lives for their nation and for liberty. A common theme throughout the song is the desire to strive for a united Africa. Its music is a traditional European style military march.[2]

It was officially adopted less than a year after independence, by loi n° 62-72 du 9 août 1962. It is traditionally played at state ceremonies by the band of the Garde Républicaine of the Armed Forces of Mali. The Malian Young Pioneer movement of the 1960s translated it in the Bambara language for its rallies as "Afiriki ye ani e ye, Mali".

Lyrics

	French lyrics	Bambara lyrics	English translation
First verse	A ton appel Mali Pour ta prospérité Fidèle à ton destin Nous serons tous unis Un peuple un but une foi Pour une Afrique Unie Si l'ennemi découvre son front Au dedans ou au dehors Debout sur les remparts Nous sommes résolus de mourir	Mali man'a kan bɔ ɲɛtaa kɛlɛba don An bɛɛ b'an cɛsiri Ka lahidu tiimɛ So, haju, ŋaniya kelen Farafinna kelenya Jugu man'a kun bɔ Kɔnɔna o Kɛnɛma Bɛɛ ka wuli k'i jɔ Saya ka fisa malo ye	At your call, Mali For your prosperity Loyal towards your destiny We will be all united, One people, one goal, one faith, For a united Africa If the enemy should show himself Inside or outside, Standing on the ramparts, We are ready to die.
Chorus	Pour l'Afrique et pour toi, Mali, Notre drapeau sera liberté. Pour l'Afrique et pour toi, Mali, Notre combat sera unité. O Mali d'aujourd'hui O Mali de demain Les champs fleurissent d'espérance Les cœurs vibrent de confiance	Farafinna n'an faso Mali Jɔnjɔn in ko: hɔrɔnya bɛrɛ Farafinna n'an faso Mali Kɛlɛ in ko: kelenya kɛlɛ Un! Mali tile bɛ bi Un! Mali tile bɛ sini Jigiya forow funtira kayira Denw hakili latigɛra pewu pewu	For Africa and for you, Mali, Our banner shall be liberty. For Africa and for you, Mali, Our fight shall be for unity. Oh, Mali of today, Oh, Mali of tomorrow, The fields are flowering with hope Hearts are thrilling with confidence.
Second verse	Debout villes et campagnes Debout femmes, jeunes et vieux Pour la patrie en marche Vers l'avenir radieux Pour notre dignité Renforçons bien nos rangs Pour le salut public Forgeons le bien commun Ensemble au coude à coude Faisons le sentier du bonheur		Standing town and country Standing women, young and old For the country moving Towards a bright future For our dignity Let us strengthen our ranks well For the public salvation Let us forge the common good Together shoulder to shoulder Let us make the path of happiness
Chorus
Third verse	La voie est dure très dure Qui mène au bonheur commun Courage et dévouement Vigilance à tout moment Vérité des temps anciens Vérité de tous les jours Le bonheur par le labeur Fera le Mali de demain		The path is hard very hard Which leads to common happiness Courage and dedication Vigilance at all times Truth of ancient times Truth everyday Happiness through labour Will make the Mali of tomorrow
Chorus
Fourth verse	L'Afrique se lève enfin Saluons ce jour nouveau Saluons la liberté Marchons vers l'unité Dignité retrouvée Soutient notre combat Fidèle à notre serment De faire l'Afrique unie Ensemble debout mes frères Tous au rendez-vous de l'honneur		Africa finally rises Let us welcome this new day Let us welcome liberty Let us march towards unity New found dignity Support our fight True to our oath Of making Africa united My brothers standing together All at the appointment of honour
Chorus

References

1. Central Intelligence Agency (24 November 2015). The CIA World Factbook 2016. Skyhorse Publishing Company, Incorporated. p. 3144. ISBN 9781510700895.
2. Exchange, Score. "Mali National Anthem "Pour l'Afrique et pour toi, Mali - Le Mali for Brass Quintet". Score Exchange. Retrieved 2020-05-25.

External links

• Mali: Le Mali - Audio of the national anthem of Mali, with information and lyrics
• Presidency of Mali: Symboles de la République, L'Hymne National du Mali: history and lyrics, updated 13 June 2003.