Songs of Malian Griots

Description

In West African tradition, the griot is the guardian of a family’s history, words, and songs. She accompanies them through generations, singing praises and myths through long melodic flights, weaving connections between people and transmitting stories while nurturing the imagination.

Program

Introduction and transmission of this ancient singing tradition and its social function. Focus on singing and spoken word, as griots are also considered the 'masters of speech' in Malinké society.

Naïny Diabaté

Born in 1966 in Bamako, Mali, into a griot family, singer and bolon player Naïny Diabaté made her debut at 17 with the famous Rail Band of Bamako before launching an international career. She brought a modern touch to Malinké Manding music, blending it with blues, jazz, and pop. Naïny founded the Kaladjula Band, the first Malian all-female instrumental and vocal ensemble.

Naïny began performing solo at age five in her kindergarten in Bamako. Her talent was soon recognized, and she continued singing while attending Bozola primary school.

In 1976, she left school to join a neighborhood theater troupe and won a solo singing competition the following year. In 1979, she performed with the Rail Band alongside legends like Mory Kanté and Djélimadi Tounkara.

Her solo career took her across Mali and beyond. In 1981, she toured Côte d’Ivoire and returned to Mali as a national radio and TV star. Her signature songs include “RTM”, “Diagné Kô”, and “Diam Niagalé”.

In 1986, she represented Mali at the Avignon Festival and toured Spain. Her debut album *Farafina Mousso* (Women of Africa) was released in 1987. Later releases include *Fantagna & N’darila* (2009) and *Sumu vol.1: Sandiya* (2010).

In 2012, she founded the Kaladjula Band, and in 2018 co-founded the Franco-Malian orchestra Kogoba Basigui with Eve Risser.