DJEMESENDJI

Djemesendji is a traditional song sung by women while fishing with their nets.

The word is composed of three parts: Dje, meaning fish; Mesen, meaning small; and Dji, which literally means water in Malinké. In this context, however, Dji refers to the sauce, since it is water-based. The word for sauce is also commonly expressed as Manfendji.

Although the fish are small, they can be turned into a delicious meal when prepared with fidi, a traditional West African dish that is especially popular in Guinea. It is made from boiled and pounded vegetables such as okra and eggplant, and is typically served with rice, palm oil, and Sumbara, a fermented seasoning made from the seeds of the néré tree.

Depending on regional accents and dialects, the name may also be pronounced Djemisendji or Guemesengui.