Heritage Ambassador meet up: The Balafon and the legacy of the Griot in West African Mande music

Welcome to our Heritage Ambassador public Meet up series where folk Heritage artists engage participants into the sharing of their artistic experience, skills and cultural heritage.

Our guest hosts, Heritage artists 2024, Irene Koloseus and Abou Sylla,a master balafon player and griot from Guinea, West Africa  will co lead a lecture-performance and interactive workshop introducing the balafon in the Griot tradition of Mande music.

Originating from the Mande people of West Africa—spanning Guinea, Mali, Senegal, Ivory Coast, and Burkina Faso—Mande music is a rich oral tradition passed down through generations. It is performed by griots, known as djeli, who serve as historians, storytellers, and keepers of cultural heritage through music and song. At the heart of this tradition is the balafon, a resonant wooden percussion instrument and the ancestor of the modern xylophone.

This workshop offers a rare opportunity to experience the role of the griot firsthand. Abou will share personal stories of his upbringing in a griot family, where music is not just an art form but a way of preserving history, celebrating milestones, and strengthening community ties.

Feel the rhythm and soul of the balafon as Irene and Abou bring its melodies to life in an engaging, hands-on session. 

Come listen, learn, and take part in this unique celebration of West African music, storytelling, and cultural tradition