Youssou N’Dour Honors the
Musical Traditions of Islam

By Diane “Livonn” Adam
Photography by Jonathan Mannon (c) 2005

“The conception of Egypt is evidence of this – of a distinctive “Senegalese  way” of Islam, and of Sufi thought and practice.  While all of the Senegalese Sufi communities trace their origins to Sufi movements founded in the Arab world, each today reflects a truly unique spiritual ethos.” - Egypt

Senegal’s Youssou N’’ Dour graced the Cal Performances’ World Stage at UC Berkeley’s Zellerbach Hall on November 11, 2005,  It was a night of magic as he performed the most lyrically scrumptious music adorned by the exquisite sound of the Cairo Orchestra conducted by Fathy Salama.  Youssou N’Dour and his seven Senegalese musicians, singers and percussionists, including players of the West African Xylophone (bala) and harp-lute (kora) joined the Cairo Orchestra to perform songs from his Grammy winning album, Egypt (Nonesuch Records 2004). 

Youssou N’Dour is a singing griot or gawlo from Dakar, Senegal who sings in the Wolof tradition of his people.  Born in the impoverished Media community of Dakar, he was taught music by his mother who was a griot or oral historian.  A prolific composer, singer and songwriter, Youssou N’Dour is one of the most renowned musicians coming out of West Africa.  He shines in his amazing vocal range and ability to mix the Senegalese traditional sound of m’balax to Cuban samba, R&B and Jazz.  He has toured all over the world for 20 years with his band, The Super Etoile.  Along the way, he has snow-balled his musical style with pop music sensibilities that never alienate him from his traditional Wolof roots where he stays firmly grounded.  In spite of the fact that he explores other musical genres as he reinvents himself over and over again, N’Dour says,

"I am an artist, I persevere, I climb step by step, and like that I will arrive at my goal."

Some of Youssou N’Dour’s most beautiful work can be heard on his albums, Yoko, Set, The Guide (Wommat), and Eyes Open released in 1992 on Spike Lee’s Forty Acres and A Mule label.

The audience at Zellerbach Hall stirred with excitement as we all awaited the curtain call announcing the beginning of the show while the Senegalese musicians took their place center stage.  The dimly lit stage brightened as Youssou N’Dour walked on stage to greet the audience who showered him with applause and cheers.  Joining them on stage was Fathy Salama and the Cairo Orchestra who signaled the beginning of the sensual sounds of strings that introduced the traditional Arabian music that would later meld with the gentle songs of praises to “Allah” that N’Dour sang during the evening.   During his performance he invited an amazing assortment of dancers from the audience on stage to give us all a sample of their unique dance moves as N’Dour stood back watching and smiling as the show took on a life of its own.

Most enjoyable was Youssou N’ Dour’s performance of the song, “Touba – Daru Salaam” (Touba – Land of Peace) as the string section of the Cairo Orchestra took wing as N’Dour sang in the traditional Wolof language translated as:

Touba, Land of Peace…

Hurry to the Way
With a guidance that cannot fail you
There is no plane, no care
But, if in doubt, ask the people of Fasse. 

Touba, Land of Peace…

 Hurry up and be a winner
Do not sit and later regret.
Make a choice that cannot fail you
Choose your Way, but be there
Even if the journey is long 

Lord…
Touba, Land of Peace… 

Choose – and respect others’ choices
Be on your Way
Know that people from all Around
Have chosen his poems as guidance
Those are the lucky ones
Because Cheikh Khadim has no match
No choice could be better
There is no match to this man 

Touba, Land of Peace…

For your salvation
Choose your guidance well
A Way with no resistance
If you want no interference
Go and pay at Bamba’s town… 

So many disciples in France
They cannot be counted
Whenever you go they are sharing in
The study of Bamba

Disciples are also in Casamance
They are all around the world
When they celebrate him at the màggal
All our welcome

Touba, Land of Peace…

For your salvation
Choose your guidance well
A way with no resistance
If you want no interference
Go and pay a Bamba’s town

The song “Touba – Daru Salaam” exalts the Holy City of Touba in the community of Mourid where the revolutionary Amadou Bamba (sage of Touba) grew to Sufi sainthood by his works of miracles and writings that included devotional poetry known as xasaayids in the Wolof language that is often chanted by the people of Mourid.  Bamba’s writings seek to teach spiritual discipline and self control and ascribed to the thoughts that there is a religious dignity to physical work and a sacred aspect to the monetary gains brought forth from this work. 

Youssou N’Dour has collaborated and performed with an illustrious cast of musical giants including Wyclef Jean, Tracey Chapman, Peter Gabriel, Sting, Bruce Springsteen and Branford Marsalis.  He has been honored with the tile of Ambassador for UNICEF in unison with the Year Of The Child and Goodwill Ambassador to the United Nations.  To benefit children who are the victims of AIDS, he has performed many concerts.  In 1985 N’Dour organized and performed at a special concert for the liberation of Nelson Mandela and has toured with Amnesty International.  In 1996, he was named Best African Artist and in 1999 he was given the title of African Artist of the Century.

Youssou N’Dour’s latest album, Egypt breaks new ground by combining the melodies of Egyptian and Arabian traditional orchestrated music.   N’Dour says,

“Egypt is a kind of exploration into what Muslims have in common and how Islam is practiced in Senegal, Egypt and across the Middle East and “praises the tolerance of my religion.”

A real achievement in these times of ‘poli-tricks’ and war that promotes ignorance of the Muslim culture and the many contributions made to the arts and sciences.  Egypt won the 2004 Grammy Award in World Music and is an amazing spiritual journey through the cultural beauty of Egyptian and Middle Eastern musical forms and a daring exploration of Sufi mystical traditions in Islam.

More information about Youssou N’Dour can be found on the Nonesuch Records website at http://www.nonesuch.com.

Information on UC Berkeley’s Cal Performances 2006 World Stage schedule of performers can be found here.

Blessed Love