Daba

Makan « Badjé » Tounkara is a jali, a griot. He is the grandson of the great Djeli Baba Sissoko (1922-2001), who was acknowledged by his peers as the “leader of Malian Jalis” in the 1990s. Badjé has been pursuing a rich career, notably alongside such renowned artists as Salif Keïta, Baba Maal, Ami Koïta, Tata Bambo, Kandia Kouyaté and his aunt Mah Damba, with whom he has recorded two albums. Makan Tounkara is also at the origin of an instrumental innovation: he has added three strings to his ngoni. Traditionally equipped with four strings, this lute of the jalis is to be found – under diverse names (koni, kontigo, gambare) and with slight variations– amongst all Mande peoples.