Sosso Bala

The sacred balafon instrument, known as the Sosso- Bala, has been perceived as the symbol of the freedom and cohesion of the Mandingue community, which is spread across a territory that once belonged to the Empire of Mali. Originally owned and played by King Sumaoro Kanté, who succeeded to the Sosso throne in the early thirteenth century, the balafon has transmitted epic poems down through the centuries, principally the Sunjata epic that comprises hymns to the glory of the builder of the Mali Empire. The progressive reduction in the number of pupils due to rural exodus is regarded as one of the main threats to the continuity of this musical tradition. Additional factors include the fragility of the infrastructure and the difficult living conditions in Nyagassola. However, the Balatigui and other members of Dökala family, who still hold an important position in Mandingue society, have committed themselves to transmitting their knowledge and skills to future practitioners.