Mamadou Diabaté

A member of the Malian familial tradition of the griot (or jeli, as they are known to the Manding of West Africa), kora virtuoso Mamadou Diabate is a link in the chain of oral historians that stretches back to the 13th century. Using music and oratory skills to preserve the history of their people, the griot are given special designation within their society as the bearers of a precious cultural legacy that unites the traditions of most of West Africa. Taking after his father, Djelimory Diabate, who himself rose to prominence as a kora player for the Instrumental Ensemble of M...