MANAMBA

Manamba (also known as Bundiani or Daba, depending on the region) belongs to the Mendiani group of rhythms. It is traditionally played during the final part of a Mendiani celebration, following Denabendunun and Den, and is characterized by a very fast tempo.

The rhythm is named after — and dedicated to — the famous rural Guinean dancer Manamba, who became a true local legend. Renowned for her original, powerful, and energetic dance style, she created her own distinctive movement vocabulary as well as her own rhythm. Her dance was described as wild and intense, matching the extreme speed of the music.

Manamba was believed to possess spiritual power: through her dance, she was said to heal people and drive away evil spirits. She performed with her own dedicated group of drummers, many of whom were Bassiti (spiritual healers), capable of playing exactly according to her energy and direction. They accompanied her during local festivals, especially during Dendon celebrations for young girls within the Mendiani tradition.

Although she is still alive today, she no longer dances due to her advanced age. However, the legends surrounding her artistry and spiritual presence remain deeply rooted in the local culture, and her rhythm continues to carry her name and spirit.

MENDIANI

The rhythm group Den, or Mendiani, is from the Sankaran area of Upper Guinea and comes from the Malinke ethnic group.

The word Mendiani consists of the words Min, meaning “where” and Diani which means “rich”. Mendia refers to a loved person and ni is a diminutive. In basic terms the word Mendiani refers to a party. A party where “it is rich”.

The Mendiani are also known as a collective of girls who are taken care of by the community. Aged between 6 and 14, they are agile, courageous and are all virgins.

Most villages in the Kouroussa region have two or three Mendiani dancers, also called Bundiani, and one Lafè. The word Bundia is used in Malinke to refer to a baby or doll, something very precious that requires affection and care which is loved by all.

Ahead of Mendiani celebrations, the girls are prepared by the elder Mendiani who know the secrets of the rituals.

The Lafè, “the girl next door”, refers to the second, or even third, which may seem less important but in fact still has its own dedicated rhythm. During the ritual, she is in charge of the communication between the Mendiani and the crowd. sometimes the Lafè may no longer wish to play this role, which is generally not well received.

The wife of the village chief and the former Mendiani are responsible for the organisation of the festival, which occurs during the transition from the dry season into that of the rainy season. This is when the Dalamo (cf Kon) is celebrated marking the end of Ramadan, Tabaski, or during visits from important dignitaries.

At the beginning of the ceremony, the Waraba (Wara means “tiger” and Ba means “great”) carry the girls on their shoulders to the Bara, the central square of the village. During this display the percussionists play the Lafè rhythm, also called Denabendunun, Waraba or Denadon.

The Lafé dances around the bearers of the girls, holding in each hand a Kalama which is a large calabash covered with shells (cowries) used as a shaker.

The girls are sometimes adorned with a “boubou” (a traditional costume) and mask which they remove when the musicians change to the Den rhythm. At this moment, the men put the girls on the ground and they start dancing.

Den is also sometimes referred to as Dentolon (Den = child / Tolon = game), literally meaning “children’s game.”

The next part of the celebration is faster, with the percussionists playing the rhythm Manamba.