Erdi - Ali Farka Touré

This is a Peul song that means playing to win pastureland;

not for sheep or

goats, but only for cattle

It is a contest held each year.

When the people leave for the pastureland,

returning from the winter

Grounds, they have the finest and fattest animals among their flocks,

and that’s when competition and

Jealousy arises between the Peul ethnic groups.

It is like in life,

one can have only one life without

Children, or without a first child.

One can have a hundred children in the bed,

but there is not a first

Child amongst them.

The first child is the one who does well and who knows what

he is doing, who

Occupies himself only with what is his right

First son who has never been matched

Thank you for what never ends, yes!