The Balafon

The Balafon
Home Bio Naby's CDs Resume	The very first balafon, the sosso-bala, is over eight centuries old. Soumaworo Kante, leader of the Sosso Kingdom, crafted the first balafon after meeting with spirits who showed him the instrument. He kept his instrument jealousy guarded and allowed no one to touch it but himself. It is said that if a fly touched it he would find it and kill it. During the time of battle with the Mandingo Kingdom, a griot named Diakouma Doua, imprisoned at Soumoworo's court, defied the warnings and and played the sosso-bala. However enraged by the audacity, Soumoworo was impressed by the griot's talent. He then authorized Diakouma Doua to play the sasso-bala and named him "Bala Fasseke Kwate" (the balafon player). Thus, Bala Fasseke became the guardian of Soumoworo Kante's balafon. Since then it has remained in the hands of the Kouyate family and the descendents of of Bala Fasseke Kwate. The balafon became a priviledged instrument in all important ceremonies. Today, after more than 800 years, the original balafon is kept virtually intact in the village of Niagassola in the north of Guinea.
The Balafon

The very first balafon, the sosso-bala, is over eight centuries old.

Soumaworo Kante, leader of the Sosso Kingdom, crafted the first balafon after meeting with spirits who showed him the instrument. He kept his instrument jealousy guarded and allowed no one to touch it but himself. It is said that if a fly touched it he would find it and kill it.

During the time of battle with the Mandingo Kingdom, a griot named Diakouma Doua, imprisoned at Soumoworo's court, defied the warnings and and played the sosso-bala. However enraged by the audacity, Soumoworo was impressed by the griot's talent. He then authorized Diakouma Doua to play the sasso-bala and named him "Bala Fasseke Kwate" (the balafon player). Thus, Bala Fasseke became the guardian of Soumoworo Kante's balafon.

Since then it has remained in the hands of the Kouyate family and the descendents of of Bala Fasseke Kwate. The balafon became a priviledged instrument in all important ceremonies. Today, after more than 800 years, the original balafon is kept virtually intact in the village of Niagassola in the north of Guinea.