Hakili is an old rhythm from Guinea. Like many old rhythms in West Africa, these are almost always originated in women’s groups, who together made hadclapping and sang rhythms. Later, these rhythms were further developed with intros and / or solos (such as, for example, by Mamadi Keïta and Babara Bangoura).
Hakili literally means ‘Good spirit’. The song calls to fill in your life and to act from a “good spirit.” Life is short; you better make something beautiful out of it and act with a good heart towards others.
Solist: I-yé, Hakili lee, dunya nata mala
Answer: Dunya, Hakili lee, dunya nata mala
Variations for the solist:
I man ka man sa di Hakili lee, dunya nata mala
Ni ba ké man sa di Hakili lee, dunya nata mala
I-yé -Iyé, Hakili lee, dunya nata mala
I man ke fen te ni Hakili lee, dunya nata mala
(H= Handclap for Djembé players, x = wooden edge for doundoun player)
(For tgis intro and solo use the ballet-style dounset; three in a row)