The national anthem of Senegal is called: « Pincez Tous vos Koras, Frappez les Balafons ».
Continent: Africa
Bordering Countries:
– 🇬🇲 Gambia (Republic of The)
– 🇬🇳 Guinea
– 🇬🇼 Guinea-Bissau
– 🇲🇱 Mali
– 🇲🇷 Mauritania
History of « Pincez Tous vos Koras, Frappez les Balafons »
« Pincez Tous vos Koras, Frappez les Balafons » (Pluck All Your Koras, Strike the Balafons) is the national anthem of Senegal. The anthem reflects the country’s rich cultural heritage, its journey to independence, and the unity of its people.
Key Dates and People
- 1960: The lyrics of the anthem were written by Léopold Sédar Senghor, a renowned Senegalese poet and the first President of Senegal. The music was composed by Herbert Pepper, a French composer. The anthem was officially adopted on April 27, 1960, shortly before Senegal gained independence from French colonial rule on August 20, 1960.
Anecdotes
- Cultural Symbolism: The title of the anthem, « Pincez Tous vos Koras, Frappez les Balafons, » references traditional Senegalese musical instruments, the kora and the balafon, symbolizing the country’s rich cultural heritage and the importance of music in Senegalese society.
- Composer’s Legacy: Herbert Pepper, the composer, also composed the national anthem of the Central African Republic. His collaboration with Léopold Sédar Senghor resulted in a composition that is both culturally resonant and musically rich.
- Lyricist’s Contribution: Léopold Sédar Senghor, the lyricist, was a key figure in the Négritude movement and a prominent intellectual. His words reflect the aspirations and pride of the Senegalese people, emphasizing unity, freedom, and progress.
- Cultural Significance: The anthem is performed at national celebrations, official ceremonies, and sporting events, reinforcing its role in uniting the Senegalese people and celebrating their heritage. The anthem’s stirring lyrics and melody inspire a sense of unity and pride among the people of Senegal.
Full Lyrics
In French
Pincez tous vos koras, frappez les balafons.
Le lion rouge a rugi.
Le dompteur de la brousse
D'un bond s'est élancé,
Dissipant les ténèbres.
Soleil sur nos terreurs, soleil sur notre espoir.
Debout, frères, voici l'Afrique rassemblée
Fibres de mon cœur vert.
Épaule contre épaule, mes plus que frères,
O Sénégalais, debout !
Unissons la mer et les sources, unissons la steppe et la forêt.
Salut Afrique mère, salut Afrique mère.
Sénégal toi le fils de l'écume du lion,
Toi surgi de la nuit au galop des chevaux,
Rends-nous, oh ! rends-nous l'honneur de nos ancêtres,
Splendides comme ébène et forts comme le muscle,
Nous disons droits - l'épée n'a pas une bavure.Translated in English
Pluck all your koras, strike the balafons.
The red lion has roared.
The tamer of the bush
With a leap has sprung,
Dispelling the darkness.
Sun on our terrors, sun on our hope.
Stand up, brothers, here is Africa united
Fibers of my green heart.
Shoulder to shoulder, my more than brothers,
O Senegalese, stand up!
Let us unite the sea and the springs, let us unite the steppe and the forest.
Hail mother Africa, hail mother Africa.
Senegal, you the son of the foam of the lion,
You who emerged from the night at the gallop of horses,
Give us back, oh! give us back the honor of our ancestors,
Splendid as ebony and strong as muscle,
We say it straight - the sword has no flaw.Sources: