Sabali - Amadou & Mariam (2010)
Necessary Genius ponders patience with Malian singers Amadou & Mariam
“Sabali” is a word from the West African language of Bambara, spoken in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Senegal which means "patience" or "perseverance."
In other words, chill out in those difficult situations and persevere through the challenges you might face in life. This is a cheery and hopeful song.
Malian-French duo Amadou & Mariam are husband and wife and happen to be blind. Sabali was the song that struck me before I knew anything about their history. The song has an eerie quality to it that is unique—this is the world reluctantly embracing technology. This is a message of love through the production, which is music to your ears.
The sound of a loved one on the phone.
I challenge you to listen to the song first here, then again with the video:
Patience! Patience is worth everything!
Patience! Patience is good.
Sound. A soundscape is important. Sound is a lifeline.
And now the video:
Amadou & Mariam - Sabali
Welcome to Mali.
As Mariam puts it, ‘‘People know we are blind, but it is our work that counts,’’ so perhaps we should simply describe them as a virtuoso guitarist and both soulful singers, two musicians with musical roots deep in West African tradition but with a restless desire to innovate and experiment.1
More, you ask? Sure.
Amadou & Mariam - M'Bifé
Spreading the love of music through technology.
Williamson, N. (2018) Amadou & Mariam: A Beginner's Guide, Songlines.
https://www.songlines.co.uk/features/a-beginner-s-guide/amadou-mariam-a-beginner-s-guide