WALA WALA (BINARY)

In Malinke, Wala Wala means “butterfly”—something that flies, that is elastic, flexible. The rhythm originates from Kankan.

The Wala Wala is a man who dresses up as a woman and dances women’s steps. He travels from village to village, accompanied by a sangbanfola and a djembefola. Their performance makes the villagers laugh, who then reward them with gifts such as rice, a bit of gold, and so on.

It is said to be the first type of work involving regional travel.

These information were told to us by the djembe master Billy “Nankouma” Konaté. Visit his official website : billykonate.com

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