Musical Traditions in Mali | I Play the Simbi, and at the Same Time I'm Praying.

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 […]

Aid to Displaced Northern Artists in Mali

An article today in the Washington Post has highlighted the difficulties facing musicians and artists from the North of Mali.  Instruments 4 Africa is on the ground in Bamako helping musicians and artists from the North.  We are 100% volunteer managed organization based in Bamako since 2003. We are partnering with artists like Afel Bocoum, […]

Joy to the World

It’s that time of year for charitable giving.  We are proud to say that 100% of your donations go directly to the girls’ education programs at Instruments 4 Africa.  As per Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times columnist, Nicholas Kristof, “…money goes farther in the developing world…the most cost effective interventions are often at the grassroots […]

Krewe School House

Thanks to the donations from Toubab Krewe and Craiggie Brewing in Asheville, NC, construction is underway on the Krewe School House  in Bamako, Mali, West Africa.  The community is delighted and grateful…as are we at Instruments4Africa.  Thank you, Toubab Krewe and Craiggie!!  Brick by brick…Stay posted.

Nana, hope for the future, strength from the past

This is Nana. She is 10 years old and she lives at the Togola Community Center in Bamako, Mali. Like many children her age, she needs to build confidence in her abilities as she moves into the upper elementary grades. Like many other children in Mali, she needs your love and support to have access […]

African Dance Party at the American School

The African Dance Party at the American International School was a success and so fun, thanks to the Community Service Student Volunteers at the American International School and their sponsor, Robin Pascucci. And big thanks to AISB for stressing the importance of community service and hosting related events. We started the evening with a performance […]

Praise Songs

Looking for an original holiday gift?  For a donation of $100 USD or more, the Instruments 4 Africa girls choir will sing a custom praise song (in Bambara) for you or for someone you would like to honor.  In Mali,the praise singer, or griot is the community historian.  They provide an aural history of Mali’s […]