Symposium & Musical 5 à 7 | Contemporary Expressions of Medieval African Musics (Mbira and Mande Legacies)

This performance with commentary is part of Visiting Dean’s Chair, Prof. Johann Buis' "Contemporary Expressions of Medieval African Musics (Mbira and Mande Legacies) Workshops and Symposium"
Learn about and hear African Musical Traditions unbroken since the 14th Century | Symposium Workshop Schedule (PDF)

Introduction by Eric Charry, Professor of Music, Wesleyan University

MBIRA VIRTUOSOS
Magwenyambira ("Mbira Players")

Moyo Rainos Mutamba, mbira
Jennifer W. Kyker, mbira
Memory Makuri, hosho

QUATUOR MANDINGUE

Lasso Sanou, peul flute
Abdoulaye Koné, Mandingue guitar
Sadio Sissokho, kora
Mamadou Koïta, balafon

Mbira Legacies: During the period of Zimbabwe’s Mutapa dynasty, partly derived from a branch of the Zimbabwe culture (flourished 1300 and 1450), mbira music was prevalent in the courts. European accounts and depictions from the 1580s (likely earliest written documentation) indicate a highly elaborate (professional) class of mbira players and dancers at the Great Zimbabwe.

Mande Legacies: During the 14^th century, the time of Machaut (c1300-1377), Ibn Battūta (1304- 1369) and Al-'Umarī (1301- 1349) respectively described royal ceremonies at the seat of the Mali (Mande) empire and instruments such as the koni (lute) and the bala.  The term for praise singer (jaali ) was documented at this time.