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Sosso Bala.
- Format:
- Video
- Language:
- English
- Subjects (All):
- Africa.
- Guineans.
- Malians.
- Traditional history.
- Cultural communities.
- Political schisms.
- Cultural ethos.
- Guinea.
- Mali.
- Kouyaté, Mahamadi,.
- Local Subjects:
- Africa.
- Guineans.
- Malians.
- Traditional history.
- Cultural communities.
- Political schisms.
- Cultural ethos.
- Guinea.
- Mali.
- Kouyaté, Mahamadi,.
- Genre:
- Documentary
- Physical Description:
- 1 online resource (88 minutes)
- Place of Publication:
- Paris, Ile-de-France : Qwest TV, 2008.
- Language Note:
- In French.
- Original language in French.
- System Details:
- video file
- Summary:
- Sosso Bala is a fascinating documentary, both learned and modest, far removed from cheap exoticism. The interweaving of subjects (the story of the odyssey of the sosso bala instrument, the peregrinations of a griot's son who listens to the teachings of the elders, the troubled history of the Mandingo, the current cultural and political conflicts arising from the creation of the states of Mali and Guinea) gives rise to a humanity that speaks of the dignity of Africa and the beauty of Mandingo music. The common thread running through the documentary is the story of the sosso bala, a balafon whose creation dates back to the 13th century, and which can only be seen during a solemn annual procession. Today, it is in the custody of the Kouyaté family in the village of Niagassola, in Guinea; a fact that is not without creating dissatisfaction within the large Kouyaté family, which is spread out over Mali and Guinea. To resolve the dispute over the residence of the instrument, venerated as a relic, negotiations went all the way up to presidential level a few years ago, only to be temporarily resolved by a judgment of Solomon: the instrument remains on Guinean soil, but under the responsibility of the Kouyaté family. As we follow the peregrinations of Mahamadi Kouyaté, son of a griot, who learns about tradition from the elders (colorful characters teach him how to play and the art of the spoken word), we discover the vocation and mission of a griot: to unite families. Philippe Lesage
- Notes:
- Title from resource description page (viewed July 15, 2024).
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