Senegal
- Language
- French
- Anthem
- Le Lion rouge
- Duration
- 0:56
- Status
- “Pincez Tous vos Koras, Frappez les Balafons” continues to serve as the official national anthem of Senegal today.
Senegal National Anthem History
Le Lion rouge · Pincez Tous vos Koras, Frappez les Balafons
Senegal adopted "Pincez Tous vos Koras, Frappez les Balafons" as its national anthem in 1960, shortly after the dissolution of the Mali Federation. Its lyrics were written by the country's first president, Léopold Sédar Senghor, with music composed by Herbert Pepper.
Senegal
Le Lion rouge
History timeline
-
1960
Senegal gains independence in June as part of the Mali Federation, with a shared anthem.
-
1960
The Mali Federation dissolves two months later, with Mali retaining the original anthem's music.
-
1960
French composer Herbert Pepper writes new music for Senegal's anthem.
-
1960
Léopold Sédar Senghor's existing lyrics, with slight changes, are officially adopted for the new anthem.
The anthem's title and opening line prominently feature two native Senegalese instruments, the kora (harp-lute) and balafon (xylophone), which can be used in its performance.