News - Lansiné Kouyaté Biography of Lansiné Kouyaté Balafon CDs with Lansiné Kouyaté Presentation of Mali contacts
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Mali is ranked as one of the world’s poorest countries (173rd position out of 177 countries, 2008 UNDP Human Development Index); culturally and humanly speaking, it is however a very rich country.

Mali counts many internationally known artists: Ali Farka Touré, Aly Keita, Amadou & Mariam, Amy Koita, Ba Cissoko, Cheick Tidiane Seck, Habib Koité, Kandia Kouyaté, Kassé Mady Diabaté, Mamani Keita, Nahawa Doumbia, Nebá Solo, Oumou Sangaré, Rokia Traoré, Salif Keita, Toumani Diabaté, etc. Malian musicians have become Ambassadors for Mali. The diversity of Malian music also reflects its cultural diversity. Mali is home to various traditional music styles such as Mandingo music, Dogon music, etc. but also blues, jazz and other modern fusions.

 

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The griots (or “Djéli”) still fulfill their social function as poet-musicians and storytellers transmitting the country’s history from one generation to the next, in particular tales from the Soundiata Keïta epopee and the Malian empire (unified by Soundiata Keïta in 1222). They occupy an important place within the Malian society.

Traditionally close to the power, the caste of griots enjoys generally high-recognition and is often privileged by the State and its administration. For instance, all members of the prestigious “Ensemble national du Mali” automatically become civil servants for live time. The Malian middle class is also increasingly demanding on the services of griots for any kind of ceremonies: baptism, wedding, funerals, etc. 

Peace, harmony and conviviality are key values for Malian people. Despite tensions between Touaregs and local populations in the North, Mali is a very peaceful and stable country. It has not suffered from war or intra-regional conflict since its independence on 22 September 1960.

case sacrée de Kangaba

Lansiné was raised in the Kangaba district, located within the Koulikoro region about 100km from Bamako and about 50km from the Guinean border. Kangaba lays in the centre of the “Mandé”, the birthplace of the Malian Empire. The “case sacrée” of Kangaba (holy cabin/hut used to store fetichs) is restored once every seven years by the same griot lineage. This ceremony is exclusively reserved to descendants of the royal Keïta family.