Awesome Tapes from Africa just released an new album from Nahawa Doumbia, which has a Bambara/Maninka name: Kana wa (“Don’t go”)
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I love this! I ni ce!
Habib Koité has a song called “Kanawa”: Kanawa-Habib Koité - YouTube
I know he sings in Bambara (at least some of the time?) so I’m guessing it’s the same phrase? Other songs of his with words I recognize include “I ka barra” and “Sinama denw”
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I ni ce! Kow bɛ di, Amelia?
Yes, it’s the same phrase: Kana wa 
The verb ka wa ‘to go’ is not considered standard Bambara; normally in Bambara, we hear and use ka taa/taga.
Ka wa is standard in Maninka of Guinea, but it also is used in Wasulu and therefore by a lot of musicians
I don’t know Habib Koité, so not sure how all of that fits into his word choice!
@coleman you should definitely check out Habib Koite! his music is incredible. he comes from kayes region of mali from a jeli family.
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