Themusic ofBurkina Faso includes thefolk music of 60 differentethnic groups. TheMossi people, centrally located around the capital,Ouagadougou, account for 40% of the population while, to the south,Gurunsi,Gurma,Dagaaba andLobi populations, speakingGur languages closely related to theMossi language, extend into the coastal states. In the north and east theFulani of theSahel preponderate, while in the south and west theMande languages are common;Samo,Bissa,Bobo,Senufo andMarka. Burkinabé traditional music has continued to thrive and musical output remains quite diverse. Popular music is mostly in French: Burkina Faso has yet to produce a major pan-African success.
Burkina Faso's popular music scene has not yet garnered the fame of that of other West African countries, and many popular recordings are imported fromEurope, theUnited States andDemocratic Republic of the Congo. In spite of this influx of popular styles,[1] a few early musical acts achieved success such as Koudbi Koala's group Saaba, who perform traditionalMossi music from the region aroundOuagadougou, the nation's capital. With a musical career that lasted half a century, singerAmadou Balaké was one of the foremost singers from the country during the 20th century.[2] In his music, Balaké combined Mandé, Mossi, and Afro-Cuban traditions. Other influential artists from the country include George Ouédraogo and Joseph Moussa Salambéré "Salambo".[3]
Popular traditional groups from Burkina Faso includebalafon bands,percussion ensembles and others such asFarafina andGabin Dabiré, who uses elements of traditional Burkinabé music.[4]Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso's second-largest city, is a cultural centre of Burkina Faso'sMandé people of the southwest. Burkinabe artist Barack La Voix D'or is a contemporary artist blending traditional Mande styles with modern afrobeat.
More recently, modern musicians in Burkina Faso are beginning to incorporate more foreign influences into their music, especially those from the United States, with genres such aship-hop,rap,salsa andtechno entering the music scene.[5] Thezouglou genre from Côte d'Ivoire, along with its originatorzouk, are also popular modern genres in Burkina Faso.[6]
Another modern genre that entered Burkina Faso is the Ivoriancoupé-décalé, characterised by its electronic dance beat and percussive rhythm.[5][7][8] Modern popular artists in Burkina Faso that have utilised this genre includeFloby,Dez Altino,Dicko Fils,Imilo Lechanceux,Kayawoto, Huguo Boss,Razben,Barsa 1er,Agozo,[9]Bebeto Bongo,[10] Greg Burkimbila,[11]David Le Combattant[12] andSofiano.[13]
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Monuments |
Thekora, thestringed instrument of thedjeli, has been popular throughout much of West Africa since the Malian empire of the 1240s. The instrument traditionally featured seven strings until theGambian griotMadi Woulendi increased that number to twenty-one. The kora can be played in several scales including thehypolydian mode (saouta),silaba,sim'bi andmandéka.
Mande-speakers are also known for thebalafon, a kind of wooden xylophone, the exact characteristics of which can vary depending on the maker. TheDagara,Bwa andSenufo peoples also have their own varieties.
Djembe drums, like balafons, are often manufactured in Bobo Dioulasso. The djembe, a vital part of Burkinabé traditional music, is said to be ofMalinké origin. It is made from a single piece of wood, usually from acaïlcedrat orlenke tree.
Thebendré drum (calledbara inMali anddumaa among theHausa) is amembranophone made from agourd with the top cut off and covered with goat or sheep skin. It is an ancient instrument, probably introduced during the reign ofNaaba Oubri to be played in sacred music at the royal courts ofMoaga by a head drummer (benaaba) who strikes the center or edges of the drum to make varying sounds.
Another stringed instrument is called then'goni. Legend says it was invented by a Senufo hunter. The n'goni is also played inNiger,Senegal and Mali.
TheFula people(Fulbe) of the north play a variety of traditional instruments including drums,hoddu (orxalam, a plucked skin-covered lute related to thebanjo) and theriti orriiti (a one-string bowed instrument), and use complex vocal techniques withclappingpercussion. Their griots are known asgawlo.
Two current CDs of traditional Burkinabe music are available through Nonesuch Records:1. Savannah Rhythms and2. Music of the Grasslands
Documentary films of traditional Burkinabe musicians and celebrations have been published by African Family Films.