#mandinka language

[mbafoleye]

Mandinka Greetings

Greetings are perhaps one of the most essential aspects of mandinka culture. The mandinka love to greet. It is extremely impolite for one to walk by and not stop to exchange greetings. The greetings are often long exchanges that end with prayers. Below is a list of mandinka greetings used in the morning, afternoon and evening, and others that can be used at all times of the day. This is the Guinea, Kankan region dialect. Mandinka is a vast language and the vocabulary slightly varies depending on the region.

Morning (Sunrise - Noon)

Opening Greeting

I ni sooma -(pronounced ii sooma) “Good morning”

Questions

Tana ma si? -

Did you sleep without evil?

Here sira? -

Did you sleep in peace?

I kende sira? -

Did you sleep in health?

I sen nani sira? -

Did you sleep with four legs?

Day and Evening (Not morning)

Note: These opening greetings are seldom used. Usually people use "I ni ke" for all times of day, especially day and evening.

Opening Greetings

I ni tele -

Good afternoon (noon - 4PM)

I ni wura -

Good evening (4PM - 10PM)

I ni su -

Good night (after 10 PM)

Questions

Tana ma tele? -

Is there no evil in your day?

Here tele na? -

Did you pass the day in peace?

Anytime

Opening Greetings

I ni ke / I ni wale -

What up?

I ni se / I ni sene -

Welcome (after long absence)