Kelefa Ba

It is said that the first Jeli to wield the kora composed this song to spurn on the great Mande champion Kelefa Sane.

Jeliya is an ancient society of scholars, poets, historians, story-tellers, hype-men, and bards who record and transmit the culture of the Mande.

I began studying kora exactly one year ago and have decided -- at the urging of my teacher Asha's Baba -- to post some of my works. This song tells the story of Kelefa Sane, the champion who helped dominate the Gambia. There are many stories of Kelefa's triumphs and his fall which are too lengthy and numerous to mention here. I'll tell the tale in brief to give context to the song which I sing in Bambara.

In 1235AD The Lion King, Sunjata Keita, formed the powerful Mande federation known as Mali. His generals began pushing into surrounding territories establishing an empire larger than that of their predecessor, Wagadu (Ancient Ghana). Soon after the death of the Lion King, petty princes began terrorizing and raiding small communities within the realm, most notably the Fulani. The Fulani were converting in large numbers to Islam and were drawn to its message of equality among all humanity. As disparate nomads they were vulnerable but under the guidance of the Marabu (Sufi mystics) they became a united force and went into rebellion. Kelefa, who had retired from war, was settled on his farm with his family when the call came to defend the realm. He was reluctant as his family wanted him to remain behind as he was advanced in years. However, Kelefa longed for the days of battle and soon took up his horse and lance. The forces of the Fulani were united and the petty princes of Mande were divided so Kelefa began stirring the hearts of fighting men, galvanizing them and "dragging" the men to war. When Kelefa took the field he was poetry in motion as his Jeli behind him played this song, inspired by the galloping horses' hooves. Kelefa angled his lance in all directions cut men down. But the Marabu had divined his weakness, as all great warriors have one which they keep secret. Exploiting his weakness Kelefa was felled and the Fulani won the day. It took two weeks for Kelefa to die from his wounds. He demanded he be returned to his home in Badora where he and his lance were buried beneath a tree. The Mali Empire would continue another 700 years, before succumbing to the fate of all nations, guided by the wisdom of the Kurukan Fuga (the Mande constitution), written by the Lion King.

The story of the Lion King I cannot now tell. But in time, should The God permit, I will relate his tale.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Kora
• Jeli
• Djeli
• Kelefa
• Arsalan Ibrahim