Sona Jobarteh in Weimar, 2015.
Mamamuso
It is said behind every strong family
there is a good woman
Truly our family is blessed as result of you being its foundation
Oh, granny! Though you are no longer with us,
you will forever be remembered
Oh, granny! Grandmother, the gentle and kind soul,
for you I yearn
I'm hopeful to make you proud
as I'm proud to be your granddaughter
Kumbuna, oh my grandmother!
If only you were around
Kumbuna, oh my grandmother!
This family of ours learns from you and is proud of you
The love and care you devoted to this family
will continue to guide us forever
Your love and affection, beautiful lessons and examples
are the signs of your beautiful offsprings today
A tree is bound to grow,
but without roots it's instable
Oh, my grandmother! If I have learnt anything from you,
that will include hard work,
truthfulness, love, care and perseverance
Kumbuna, oh my grandmother!
If only you were around
Kumbuna, oh my grandmother!
This family of ours learns from you and is proud of you
The love and care you devoted to this family
will continue to guide us forever
Kumbuna, my dear grandmother Kumbuna,
you've taught me honor, Kumbuna
Kumbuna, my dear grandmother Kumbuna,
you've taught me to be righteous, Kumbuna
Kumbuna, my dear grandmother Kumbuna,
you've taught me, Kumbuna, Kumbuna
Kumbuna, my dear grandmother Kumbuna,
you've taught me to love and care, Kumbuna
Kumbuna, my dear grandmother Kumbuna,
you've taught me to be righteous, Kumbuna
First female griot
Born in London, Sona Jobarteh is a member of one of the five principal kora-playing (griot) families of West Africa and the first woman from such a family to achieve international prominence as a kora player. Before her, the tradition of playing this 21-string, harp-like instrument was passed down exclusively from father to son.
The kora is a central instrument in the musical traditions of the Mandinka people of West Africa. Its performance has historically been reserved for members of hereditary griot (jeli) families, who serve as custodians of oral history, music, and culture.
Sona is the granddaughter of Amadu Bansang Jobarteh, widely regarded as one of the greatest griot masters of his generation, who migrated from Mali to The Gambia. She began studying the kora at the age of three, first under the guidance of her brother, Tunde Jegede, and later with her father, Sanjally Jobarteh.
She attended the Royal College of Music, where she studied cello, piano, and harpsichord, before continuing her studies in composition at the Purcell School of Music.
Sona Jobarteh is fluent in both Mandinka and English. Her mother, Galina Chester, is English.
Source: Wikipedia/ChatGPT
