Moon at Half Past Noon

Freedom is easily taken for granted. Those who gave up their lives for it, easily forgotten and maligned.

A few days ago, on March 26, Mali remembered something huge—Martyrs’ Day! Back in 1991, brave people in Bamako marched against a mean leader, Moussa Traoré. He’d ruled for years, making life tough. Soldiers fired on the crowd—lots of people, even kids, didn’t make it home. But on March 26, the army turned around, arrested him, and promised freedom! It was a sad day that turned happy, making Mali a place where people pick their leaders.

They sing “Le Mali,” their anthem, to honor those heroes who stood up tall by the Niger River!

“Le Mali,” also known as “Pour l’Afrique et pour toi, Mali,” was penned by Seydou Badian Kouyaté. The music was composed by Banzumana Sissoko in 1962.

Here’s a translation:

At your call, oh Mali, we stand tall and strong,
For freedom’s dawn, we’ll march all lifelong.
United we rise, from Niger’s wide bend,
One people, one goal—Bamako’s song won’t end.

The path shines bright with justice’s gleam,
Through Sahel’s sands, we chase the dream.
Oh motherland, your children so bold,
In Timbuktu’s dust, our future’s told.

For Africa’s pride, we’ll toil and fight,
With Djenné’s spires, we claim our right.
Should foes draw near, our hearts stay true,
Mali’s spirit—Ségou’s winds blow through.

Our banner flies, a star in the sky,
By Gao’s old walls, our hopes soar high.
Peace and work, in harmony we blend,
For you, dear Mali, till the world’s end.