Les Percussions de Guinée was founded in 1987 by the Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism of the

Republic of Guinea Guinea ( ),, fuf, 𞤘𞤭𞤲𞤫, italic=no, Gine, wo, Gine, nqo, ߖߌ߬ߣߍ߫, bm, Gine officially the Republic of Guinea (french: République de Guinée), is a coastal country in West Africa West Africa or Western Africa is t ...

with the meeting between seven nationals drummers and the French artist François Kokelaere. It is a government sponsored national ballet of the finest percussionists, musicians, and dancers from Guinea, West Africa. They present a performance inspired by traditional music set in a modern scenic presentation. The group is naturally oriented toward the music of the Guinean highland and the coastal region known for the

djembe A djembe or jembe ( ; from Maninka language, Malinke ''jembe'' , N'Ko script, N'Ko: ) is a rope-tuned skin-covered goblet drum played with bare hands, originally from West Africa. According to the Bambara people in Mali, the name of the djembe ...

drum, but their influences are also drawn from the Guinea midland and the forest regions as well. In the tradition of the griots, the history of many of the ethnic groups is told through the medium of drum and dance performance. African-styled performing arts has transmitted traditional values, actual histories, and the spiritual energy of the African people for centuries. The fifteen-member ensemble includes seven

master drummer In African drumming, the title of master drummer is given to a drummer who is well known by other masters for their high skill and knowledge. It is a title passed down from a master to their pupil, after they have learned all there is to know abou ...

s, chosen among the best soloists of Guinea's national companies, as well as members playing

flute The flute is a family of classical music instrument in the woodwind group. Like all woodwinds, flutes are aerophones, meaning they make sound by vibrating a column of air. However, unlike woodwind instruments with reeds, a flute is a reedless ...

, balafon,

kora Kora may refer to: Places India * Kora, Bardhaman, West Bengal * Kora, Bharuch, Gujarat * Korha, Katihar, also known as Kora, in Bihar * Kora, Kendrapara, Odisha * Kora, Wardha, Maharastra * Kora, Tumakuru, Karnataka * Toyaguda, Adilabad, Telan ...

, and traditional

dancers Dance is a performing art form consisting of sequences of movement, either improvised or purposefully selected. This movement has aesthetic and often symbolic value. Dance can be categorized and described by its choreography, by its repertoire ...

History

In 1952, a world-renowned dance company called Les Ballets Africans was established by artist Keita Fodeba, who had a rich legacy of connecting the cultures of Africa with the cultures of the world. Now, some 45 years later, this important work has been taken up by Mamoudou Conde, the charismatic relative of Fodeba. Between 1987 and 1995, the company realized many tours around the world. In 1995, following political problems, François Kokelaere left the artistic direction(management) of the group which was confided to the national ballets. Since 1994, Mamoudou has managed and directed performances in the Guinean Dance Company. In 1994, they received an award from the Rochester, New York

Chamber of Commerce A chamber of commerce, or board of trade, is a form of business network. For example, a local organization of businesses whose goal is to further the interests of businesses. Business owners in towns and cities form these local societies to ad ...

for their contribution to the development and promotion of the arts. This was the catalyst for the creation of World Music Production Inc. to preserve, spread, and promote the culture of Africa around the world. In 1998, the Department of Arts and Culture of the Republic of Guinea appointed Mamoudou as the managing director and Producer of Les Percussions de Guinée, and to represent the Ministry of Youth and Culture of the Republic of Guinea worldwide. In 2000, he also began managing The Djoliba National Ballet of the Republic of Guinea (formerly managed by Harry Belafonte). In 2001, Mamoudou signed a contract with the Guinean government to manage Les Ballets Africans. In 2002, World Music Productions Inc. arranged for Les Percussions de Guinée to appear in the

IMAX IMAX is a proprietary system of high-resolution cameras, film formats, film projectors, and theaters known for having very large screens with a tall aspect ratio (approximately either 1.43:1 or 1.90:1) and steep stadium seating. Graeme F ...

film, '' Pulse: A Stomp Odyssey''. The first all-female Guinean percussion group, ''Amazones — Women Master Drummers of Guinea'', was also officially created that year. In Mamoudou Conde's words, "it is very important that we teach our culture to everyone, especially the younger generation, so that the wisdom and value of our civilization is spread and honored throughout the world."

Mission

The mission of Les Percussions de Guinée is to educate the people of the world about Guinean traditional values through music,

drum The drum is a member of the percussion group of musical instruments. In the Hornbostel-Sachs classification system, it is a membranophone. Drums consist of at least one membrane, called a drumhead or drum skin, that is stretched over a she ...

Dance Dance is a performing art form consisting of sequences of movement, either improvised or purposefully selected. This movement has aesthetic and often symbolic value. Dance can be categorized and described by its choreography, by its repertoir ...

, and the storytelling of Africa's rich cultural legacy.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Percussions De Guinee, Les Guinean musical groups Musical groups established in 1987 Dance companies