Mandinka (also called Mandingue, Mandingo, or Malinke depending on the region) is the main language of Gambia, spoken by approximately 40% of the population. It is also found in Senegal (Casamance), Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, and Sierra Leone.

A language of the Mande family (like Dioula, Bambara, and Soninke), Mandinka belongs to the Manding language group , a linguistic continuum spanning a large swath of West Africa. The Mandinka people are historically known as traders, warriors, and griots, carriers of the oral tradition of the great Mali Empire (13th-15th century).

Basic Greetings in Mandinka

The Islamic Greeting: Salamaleekum

In Gambia, a 90% Muslim country, the first greeting you will hear is Salamaleekum (sa-la-ma-lé-koum) , a local adaptation of the Arabic "As-salamu alaykum."

Response: Maleekumsalam (ma-lé-koum-sa-lam) , "And peace be upon you"

Traditional Mandinka Greeting: I be di ?

The traditional Mandinka greeting is I be di ? (pronounced i bé di) , "How are you?" / "Are you there?"

Response: Tibo (ti-bo) , "Fine" / "Good"

Or: N be di (n bé di) , "I'm well" (direct response)

Greetings by Time of Day

Morning:
  • Subaaku (sou-ba-kou) , "Good morning"
  • Response: Subaaku nding (sou-ba-kou nding) , "Good morning"
    • Afternoon:
  • Tiilaa (ti-la) , "Good afternoon"
    • Evening:
  • Wulalaa (wou-la-la) , "Good evening"

    • Welcome: Woore ke

    Woore ke (wo-ré ké) or I woore (i wo-ré) , "Welcome"

    Pronunciation Guide

    Mandinka uses tones (high and low) but they are less strict than in some other African languages. Key rules:

  • Double vowels aa, ee, ii, oo are long vowels (pronounced twice as long)
  • ng at the end or middle of a word is nasal
  • ny sounds like "ny" (as in "canyon")
  • j sounds like "dj"

    • Pronunciation -------------- sa-la-ma-lé-koum i bé di ti-bo sou-ba-kou wo-ré ké ka-rang

    Respect and Culture

    The Age Hierarchy

    As in all Mande societies, respect for elders is paramount in Mandinka culture. Respectful terms:

  • Faa (fa): father / sir (for any adult man)
  • Naa (na): mother / madam (for any adult woman)
  • Karamoo (ka-ra-mo): marabout / religious teacher (highly respected)

    • The Role of Griots

    In Mandinka culture, jali (griots) have a crucial social role: they are keepers of historical memory and masters of the spoken word. A griot's greeting can last several minutes and include the complete genealogy of the greeted person.

    Gambia: The Smiling Coast

    Gambia is the smallest country in mainland Africa, a narrow strip of land along the Gambia River, surrounded by Senegal. What the country lacks in size, it more than makes up for in human warmth.

    Quick Reference

    Pronunciation Context | -----------------------| sa-la-ma-lé-koum Islamic greeting | ma-lé-koum-sa-lam Response | i bé di General greeting | ti-bo Response | sou-ba-kou Morning | wou-la-la Evening | wo-ré ké Receiving guests | ka-rang
    Word
    Meaning
    ------
    ---------
    Salamaleekum
    Hello (Islamic)
    I be di ?
    How are you?
    Tibo
    Fine
    Subaaku
    Good morning
    Woore ke
    Welcome
    Kaarang
    Thank you
    Expression
    Translation
    -----------
    ------------
    Salamaleekum
    Peace upon you
    Maleekumsalam
    And upon you peace
    I be di ?
    How are you?
    Tibo
    Fine
    Subaaku
    Good morning
    Wulalaa
    Good evening
    Woore ke
    Welcome
    Kaarang
    Thank you
    Gratitude | Discover West African languages on Targumi