Mamadou Diabaté: master of the balafon | Songlines
Tuesday, March 5, 2024

Mamadou Diabaté: master of the balafon

By Simon Broughton

The West African xylophone is steeped in the mythology of the Mali Empire. Simon Broughton meets balafon player Mamadou Diabaté, who is helping to keep the instrument’s 800-year history alive

Mamadou Diabate, Balafon ©Simon Broughton Free10

Mamadou Diabaté (photo: Simon Broughton)

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