Resources to Learn Bambara

Aw ni tile

African indigenous languages are mostly same as to write and to pronounce. Like the other languages one of the renowned language is Bambara, also known as Bamana language.  Bambara is a Mande language, spoken principally among the Bambara ethnic group in Mali. Though it is the national language of Mali but it is also used in Senegal, Gambia, Sierra Leone and Ghana. East, North and south Bamanako regions are considered to be historical geographical origin of Bambara where Segou-  a town and an urban commune in south central mali that was the capital of Bambara  empire was set.

As far I know, about 15 million people speaks in Bambara. Having a rich oral literature, writing was first introduced to the Bambara during French occupation. Along with some Arabic and N’ko alphabets, Bambara is usually written with the Latin alphabets. Surprisingly, 80 percent people of Mali speaks through it.

It has seven vowels. Three of them are like ‘a’ ‘e’ ‘o’. As I have no keyboard of Bambara Language, I can’t write the other. There are long vowels like ‘aa’ ‘ee’ ‘oo’ and also nasal vowels like, ‘an’ ‘en’ ‘on’. You may say, ‘a yafa n ma’ for forgiveness.

Learning Bambara in your phone

Linguarena: Give linguarena Bambara a try, it is free totally. Its text have been written by a Bambara teacher. So you can easily learn Bambara if you install this android apps on your phone.
http://download.cnet.com/Learn-bambara-full/3000-20414_4-77469353.html

English Bambara Dictionary for Android: You can find out word meanings from this app.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ru.vddevelopment.ref.enbm.free&hl=en

Polyglotte: An android apps for learning different languages especially African languages. Mobile books, wallet, shopping etc. can be found here.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.appsvision.polyglotte

Reading Books in Bambara

You can also learn Bambara language by reading books on literature and dictionary of this language. Here are some Links that will help you to find books and dictionaries.

Bambara Directory: You will find Bambara phrasebooks, Course and lessons for travel on Bambara etc. through this.
https://freelanguage.org/directory/bambara

English – Bambara: A dictionary where you will find Bambara words and phrases and their meanings in English. You will find basic Words here.
http://www.bambara.org/lexique/index-english/main.htm

Lexique Pro: If you use this program, you can look at the Bambara lexicon on your computer while not connected with internet. So it’s really a helpful program for learning Bambara.
http://www.bambara.org/lexique/index-english/main.htm

Bambara TV Show

TV shows are not only a source of relaxation but also a source of improve our listening skills.

ORTM Live: It is known as the Office of Radio and Television Of Mali. It’s the national broadcaster of Mali.
http://livetvland.com/tv/ortm

Listening Music in Bambara

You may improve both listening and speaking ability by listening music.

Bambara – Amazon.com Music: You can hear songs of Bambara singers from this site. You can buy albums too.
https://www.amazon.com/Bambara/dp/B001JTU3OE

Mali: Musique Bambara du Baninko: A software from Microsoft where you may buy and listen music of various Bambara artists.
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/store/music/album/various-artists/mali-musique-bambara-du-baninko-bambara-music-of-b/8d6kgwzrz6zw

Nursery Rhyme in Bambara language: A site where you will be able to listen and download different rhymes of Bambara language.
https://video.search.yahoo.com/search/video;_ylt=A0SO8zw5U5xYnn4A3sZXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTByNWU4cGh1BGNvbG8DZ3ExBHBvcwMxBHZ0aWQDBHNlYwNzYw--?p=Nursery+rhyme+in+Bambara+language&fr=tightropetb

Academic Study in Bambara

Spelman College: If you want to learn by your own effort, check out this biography. Spelman College is giving this opportunity.
http://www.spelman.edu/academics/majors-and-programs/comparative-womens-studies/toni-cade-bambara-program

Academic Study Abroad (ASA): Its meaningful, fun study will help you to have a course on Bambara language abroad.
https://www.academicstudies.com/

Barnard College: Giving you the opportunity to have scholarship on study in different language program.
https://barnard.edu/global/study-abroad/students-going-abroad/scholarships

Bambara on Youtube

Language Beat: A Youtube channel of learning Bambara.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdUbe3CRuPk&list=PLNbLHabHcGHbXNrjrVvwKalYIAp8GEvrE

Bambara Unit 2: A Youtube Bambara learning lesson.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsDaCQyaFWs

Bambara Cartoon: A cartoon channel for learning Bambara.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzK1vThGCPM

Resources in French-Bambara

If you are a french people and want to learn Bambara, you can also try this. you will find French meaning of Bambara words.
http://www.bambara.org/lexique/index-french/main.htm

Learning a language is not so tough you are thinking, but the benefit you will get is much more better. These are all resources from me. You have to give proper time as learning a new Language is not very easy.
All the best for your Journey to learn Bambara.

i ni ce.