This is a full playlist of the i4Africa series on Musical Traditions in Mali. The following ten vignettes are mini-documentaries about traditional music and dance in Mali in the words of practicing artists and musicians. This series was made possible by a grant from the Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation. A special thanks goes out […]
“In past times, I would not point this horsetail at a person who did not make blood flow.” The Bolon (Warrior’s harp) is the instrument of the Warrior Kings of Mandé. While other ethnic groups play a similar instrument, according to Ibrahim Traoré, he is the only person playing the Mandinka Bolon in Mali today. […]
The masks of Fadiobougou, In the cultural zone of Djitoumou, serve many purposes. For the Bambara, just hearing the word Djinn is terrifying. The masks imitate things found in the bush. After seeing the imitations, peoples knowledge of it can stop them from panicking. The experience can help you overcome your fear. In the fall, […]
Tamasheq cultural group Ekanzam are from Menaka, Mali, in the region of Gao, and the cultural zone of Azawak. This area has been at the center of conflict in Mali. Affected by clashes between the Malian army and separatist rebels, and the recent occupation of jihadists and crime cartels, the Noir Kel Tamasheq make up […]
“When something’s time is over, it is lost. We are the last village that still plays the Douga. It is not played anywhere else. Is this not a change? Before it was done everywhere. If you never see this again, it’s because things have changed.” Finko Walama Diakité. Function of tradition: After the circumcision is […]
Sidikiba Coulibaly plays the simbi, the Mandinka hunter’s harp. “If the simbi dissapears, when there is not one simbi player left in Mande, it will mean the end of the Mande culture. The simbi gives Mande it’s reputation.” Function of Tradition: This Simbi is played for all major hunter’s ceremonies including initiations, deaths, and important […]
“All begins with the traditions, and all must end with the traditions.” Broulaye Doumbia has been playing djembe for the i4A children’s dance troupe since the project began several years ago. Instruments 4 Africa is seeking funding to keep children in school and provide them with a quality academic education and training in the traditional […]
“The sound of the djembe is sorcery.” Filmed in the cultural region of Wassoulou, our fourth short film features the Sigi, the wild buffalo mask from the village of Nioguebougoula, in the cercle of Yanfolila. Embedded in the songs, stories and ceremonies that are interpreted by artists and accompanied by traditional instruments, are lessons that […]
Featuring Takamba Masters Super Onze from Gao, Mali, this is the is the third in a collection of short films exploring Endangered Musical Traditions and Essential Related Art-Forms in Mali. For more music & information on the musicians featured, go to: https://i4africa.bandcamp.com/album/super-onze-masters-of-takamba-music-gao https://www.superonze.org https://www.facebook.com/super11official http://super11.bandcamp.com/ https://i4africa.bandcamp.com
Legendary Peul Songstress from Dilly Mali (Koulikoro), Inna Baba Coulibaly
