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That song comes from Guinea.
In the beginning, « Konkoba » is a folk harvest rhythmic dance from Guinea (Hamana). « The fields have been prepared for
planting. Konkoba has completed his work and returns to the village. He's wearing a head-dress of antelope horns, and a hide adorned with bells, mirrors and cowry shells around hiships [sic] that
jingles with every step. His adornments have protected him and given him the strength to complete his difficult task. Konkoba is also the name of the rhythm that animates the one who is returning
home, and the rest of the village, to dance. »
That entertaining rhythm is so famous in Guinea that it gave its name to a dum, the « konkoba dunun » upon the basement of
it workers and farmers dance, once their work is done.
Few korafolálu recorded that song, initially created on the djembé and balafon.
Toumani Diabaté has been, as I know, one of the first korafolálu to transcript that rhythm on the kora. In 2003, the explosive Jalikunda band has done a great
performance of that song.
The djembefolálu Mamady Keïta and Famoudou Konaté had also done much to popularize that rhythm with their records and
pedagogical works.
Famous performers of « Konkoba » :
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Toumani Diabaté,
Kaïra, Hannibal Records, 1989, Rykodisc Label - HNCD1338 |
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Balla Tounkara,
Malifoly, © 2000 Balla Tounkara Music |
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Jalikunda, 2003 © Lindiane,
Jalikunda - JAL0001 |
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