Dansa is considered to be the “first rhythm in the world”. The name dansa originates in Kayes, a city in the north-east of present day Mali inhabited by the Khassonké people. Today dansa is played under different names by different people. All variations belonging to the dansa family of rhythms are played with the same accompaniment.

Dansa

The garanké, one of the castes of Mali, work with leather and hide.
Every caste has its own rhythm.
The rhythm of the griots is sandia, that of the blacksmiths noumoudon, that of the woloso djondon or wolosodon. The rhythm of the the garanké is called garankefoli.

Garankéfoli

This piece was recorded on the first of July 1987 in Bamako

Mix of djembé solos

In the Bambara language « den » means « child » and ba « mother». Demba is played during numerous occasions. Mothers are always present at these occasions and they play an important role. All variations belonging to the demba family of rhythms are played with the same accompaniment.

Demba

This rhythm is purely Malinké. It is played for youngsters. « Dan » means frontier, « ma » means « mother ». When a girl reaches the age of fifteen or sixteen and is not yet married her parents are afraid to let her leave home. The day that madan is played the girls have to ask for their parents permission to participate in the festivities.

Madan

This rhythm is better known as soli. However, this is incorrect as soli is the name of the ritual for circumcision. There are no rhythms called « marriage » or « baptism » !!! Once every year a soli is organized, called « furasi » in Bambara and « solisi » in Malinké. All variations belonging to the soukou family of rhythms are played with the same accompaniment.

Carlo Z

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