Traditional Music
Djeli are a caste of praise-singers in Burkina Faso, their function related to the griots elsewhere in West Africa. At each ruler's funeral, djeli recite the names and histories of all the past rulers, and also intervene in personal affairs of common people, as well as performing at social gatherings.
The Mande people of the southwest are known for balafon (wooden xylophone) music, while the large, centrally-located Mossi and their griots retain ancient royal courts and courtly music. The Fulbe (Fula) of the north use complex vocal techniques with clapping percussion.
There are some modern popular traditional groups in Burkina Faso, including balafon bands, such as Saramaya, Les Freres Coulibaly and Djeli-Kan, percussion ensembles (Adama Dramé and others, like le Troupe Saaba, Farafina and Djiguiya. The Italy-based Gabin Dabiré is a world musician who uses elements of traditional Burkinabé music in his work.
Read more about this topic: Music Of Burkina Faso
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