Kora is a musical instrument used extensively in West Africa and specifically in Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Senegal, The Gambia and Burkina Faso. The kora is built from a large calabash, cut in half and covered with cow skin to make a resonator with a long hardwood neck. The skin is supported by two handles that run under it. It has 21 strings, eleven played by the left hand and ten by the right, each string playing a different note.
The kora is an ancient and sacred musical instrument, part of the oral traditions and storytelling traditions, is the principal instrument of the griot. The instrument was already seen 13th Centruy Mali Empire but Its music was not written down until the 20th Century.
One kora player based in Bristol is Amadou Diagne. Originally from Dakar, Senegal, Amadou comes from a long family line of West African Griot percussionists and praise singers. As a young man Amadou’s obvious musical talent led to his becoming a professional full-time member of ‘L’Orchestra National du Senegal, and regularly performing with some of the top West African stars for festivals, cultural events, concerts and television, becoming an in demand session musician on the vibrant Dakar music scene. Since moving to England, Amadou has been busy forging his own musical identity as a musician, singer and songwriter inspired by meeting, playing and collaborating with musicians from diverse backgrounds and musical styles.