Sabari

The Dioula word Sabari is complex and not every Native speaker agrees with how to explain it. Sabari is a word that serves more than one purpose in multiple situations. Sabari is rooted in divine mercy. 

Sabari can be spoken in place of “Pardon me” in English or “Pardon” in French. It can be as simple as bumping into someone or as complex as wronging someone deeply. 

No matter how complicated or messy a problem gets, Sabari. Have mercy. Have patience. Let it go.

If there is an issue between too people, if someone isn’t happy, Sabari and the issue comes to an end and both move on as allies. It involves being sorry and offering forgiveness. 

Because we’re all in it together, Sabari. Because of what we hope to achieve together, Sabari. 

Sabari is difficult. It’s like someone poked you with a needle and it hurt and angered you. The person with the needle asks you for Sabari and you endure it and leave it to God.

It is a way to forgive. It is an attitude toward life. If you are feeling angry and bitter about something, it’s important to Sabari, to endure and come to peace with all things. Even if it bothers you, you master your emotions. 

If you don’t Sabari, your emotions will cause you to plan to deal with an issue in a way that you’ll regret later. If you don’t Sabari, you’ll have misfortune. 

If you do Sabari, you’ll receive peace and bounty. God makes friends with those who Sabari. 

If you Sabari and let an issue go, others will see it and do the same. It becomes something from which the whole country, the whole world, can benefit. 

Sabari is grace.

To listen to Native Dioula speakers talk about Sabari, select 
What does Sabali (Sabari) mean Bambara – Dioula?