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Memory of African Culture
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Memory of African Culture, Inc.
2005-2006 Program Offerings:
Amadou Kouyate (solo) is the 150th generation of the Kouyate family of Manding diali (griot/oral historians) and the first generation born on American soil. Amadou performs a musical montage on the 21string kora of Manding griot/oral historian traditions, and rhythmic presentations on the Djembe and koutiro drums of Baga and Mandinka traditions. The repertoire of traditional Manding music ranges from songs dating back as far as the 13th century to contemporary original compositions that incorporate blues and jazz riffs (1 hour and 2 hour concerts)
The Kouyate Family presents African cultural expressions emphasizing their family heritage in the Manding dialiya tradition. The Kouyate Family presents traditional and contemporary songs, recitations of Manding histories, self-accompanied on various traditional African musical instruments including the 21-string kora, and dances accompanied by the djembe and koutiro drums. For various events, the Family performers include the children of Diali Djimo Kouyate, Mady Kouyate, Amadou Kouyate and Bintou Kouyate and their mother, Akua Femi Kouyate celebrating through music, song, oral history and dance, the traditions of their family heritage (2 to 3 artists; 45 minutes to 1 hour)
Wato Sita Project, Wato Sita, which means ?This is the Time?? in Bambara language, represents a musical bridge that celebrates the continuity of the griot/oral historian music tradition from Africa to America. The Wato Sita Project features Amadou Kouyate, who is continuing the musical heritage of his father's lineage as a diali of Manding cultures through his presentation on the 21-string Kora and Djembe drum while incorporating music of his generation that ranges from traditional African to hip-hop expressions; Fred Johnson, acclaimed jazz musician and performance artist, conducts workshops on the history of jazz, improvisational, and world music and -as a vocalist-- performs and expands into the oral tradition of music in the African Diaspora and as a healing force; and Pepe Gonzalez, a virtually self-taught music artist of the acoustic and electric bass, has performed nationally and internationally for the past 25 years with legendary artists within the jazz, Afro-Cuban and Afro-Brazilian idioms. The ensemble presents music of the West African Diali tradition as well as a collection of original compositions which are a fusion of styles from the above mentioned cultures. They also perform "Sound Sculptures" which are spontaneous creations spun from words and phrases given by the audience. (3 artists; 1 hour and 2 hour concerts)
Dialiya featuring the Manding Griot Ensemble brings together West African griots (oral historians and musicians) from Mali, Gambia, Guinea and Senegal in a celebration of griot ensemble music traditions, accompanied on traditional African musical instruments including the 21-string kora, the 7-string konding, the wooden 21-key balafon, and the tama, djembe and doundoun drums. Audiences experience the mastery of this tradition of music and song, with dramatic recitation and interpretation; Mini-Concert/Full Concert (45 minutes to 2 hours; 6 to 10 artists)
Lecture-Demonstrations - Educational programs for K-12 (teachers' guide available):
"Music and Dances of Manding Traditions"
"The Music Traditions of Manding Griots"
"African Dance and Rhythm - Diversity of Forms and Styles"
Master Classes/Workshops/Seminars
Oral History and Music Traditions of Manding Griots
Traditional and Contemporary Expressions of Oral Tradition: Manding Dialiya to Hip-Hop Spoken Word
Djembe and Koutiro - African Drumming
Manding African Dance Forms
For additional information, telephone/fax: MAC, Inc. at
202/726-1400 or write to: MAC, Inc. P.O. Box 50042,
Washington, D.C. 20091;
or email akuakouyate@memoryofafricanculture.org
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