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Mandinka LullabyMandinka Lullaby
A lullaby from The Gambia

Mandinka Lullaby

Key: A minor~55 BPMGuitar & Piano chordsOriginal · Mandinka, The Gambia
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Mandinka Lullaby Lyrics. An original lullaby inspired by the Mandinka people of the Gambia, descendants of the Mali Empire, known for the kora and the storytelling griot tradition. Here you will find the lyrics, meaning, and chords.

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Lyrics & chords

An original arrangement, with guitar & piano chords above each line.

Verse

Am Dm Am
Sleep now, baamaa’s little one, the kora strings are still,
Dm Am E7
the griot’s story quiets now, upon the evening hill.
Am Dm Am
Sleep now, little one, the gentle notes are near,
Dm Am E7
tomorrow’s sun will rise for you, and chase away all fear.
In English

What the words mean

“Sleep now, baamaa’s little one, the kora strings are still, the griot’s story quiets now, upon the evening hill. Sleep now, little one, the gentle notes are near, tomorrow’s sun will rise for you, and chase away all fear.”
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Chords — guitar & piano

Am
x
Guitar
CEA
Piano
Dm
xx
Guitar
DFA
Piano
E7
Guitar
EBG#
Piano
Good to know

What “Mandinka Lullaby” Means

“Baamaa” means mother in Mandinka. The Mandinka people of the Gambia, descendants of the Mali Empire, are known for the kora, a 21-string harp-lute made from a gourd, and for griots (jali), musician-historians who carry family memory through song. This original lullaby draws on those kora-music and storytelling images of Mandinka life, with “baamaa” used as a warm address rather than a literal translation.

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