Kokanko Sata Doumbia

Malian Songbird & Ngoni Artist Mande Strings, American History U.S. Tour: Kokanko Sata Doumbia will team with Assaba Dramé and Lamine Soumano to bring the strength of Mande stringed melody to American classrooms and concert halls. The Strings Showcase features...

Solfège in Sabalibougou

A Suzuki Teacher on Western Theory in West Africa: When it rains in Sabalibougou (one of the poorest neighborhoods in Bamako, Mali, West Africa, the dirt roads turn to rivers. The open markets shut down; travel becomes nearly impossible. And I was traversing through...
Reassessing the Social Capital of Music

Reassessing the Social Capital of Music

When the peace of an entire nation is on the table, it seems almost trivial to speak of music. However music, in the Mande world1, has always served to reinforce the spiritual capital and unity of communities. In the 1700’s during the Trans-Atlantic slave trade, music...

The Sleeping Camel’s Chicken Yassa

Chicken Yassa I wrote down this recipe watching Aminatta, chef at the Sleeping Camel in Bamako, Mali. This is also known as “Lemon Chicken,” but here Aminatta used vinegar instead of lemon juice. This recipe is for 1 chicken, or 8-9 servings Leaving the skin on one...