6) A Coronach for Black Society by Salif Keita - Folon

Regarding The Bluest Eye

When I listen the song " Folon" at first time, it affected me so much. I don't know why!? Maybe, Salif Keita's fascinatic voice causes that but even though I don't know the language it makes me feel a pain in my heart. Then, I researched information about Salif Keita and his song "Folon", I understood why I feel these strong feelings because the song tells how black people live in past and how they live now. He mentions what they faced in the past and how these change. The lyric of "Folon" in Mali language and English translation below;

fôlon, é té nyinika
fôlon, né té nyinika
fôlon, a toun bé kè t'ni dén
fôlon, ko kow koun bé kè
fôlon, môgow ma koté

kouma diougou bé môgo mi kono
hèrè bi môgo mi kono
kongo bé môgo mi laaaaa
fôlon, kow ko koun bi la
fôlon, é koun té sé kô fô.

sissan, é bé nyinika
sissan, né bé nyinika
sissan, an bé bè nyinika
sissan, ko kow koun bé kè
sissan, môgow ma ko bala

(translation)

In the past, no one questioned to you
In the past, no one questioned to me
In the past, that’s how it used to be
In the past, whatever happened
In the past, no one wanted to know

People who had suggestions to make
People who could think for themselves
People who were hungry
In the past whatever happened
In the past, you could not speak about it.

Today, you are supposed to take part
Today, I’m supposed to take part
Today, we are all supposed to take part
Today, whatever’s happening
we’re all asked to take part
Today, people want to know

In the past, people did not want to know


We have read The Bluest Eye written in 70's nowadays. We witness to Black Peoples conditions in poverty, ignorance, dearth and being rejected in the past. But today, A Black person is the president of world. One of the member of the most oppressed race is USA president, Barack Obama and, Today, They can pursuit their rights, they take part in World, they can speak, they can ask. Now they can exist and tell it clearly.

I strogly recommend to listen The song "Folon". It is really one of the most beatiful song in world, of course this is my idea :)