Another "Why"

In preparing for this experience, I've been researching many things. One is the various versions of Afropop and Mbalax music. It seems that I can take a bush taxi (van) into Brikama which is the "music center" of the country. There are many big names who perform there such as Youssou N'Dour and Baaba Maal. Because the performances don't begin until after the gellahgellah (bush taxi, many spellings) stops running, I'm sure I'll be studying a few instruments. I'd love to understand how to play the kora, the national instrument of the Gambia. It has 21 strings. "Google" Ballaké Sissoko, Tata Dindin Jobarteh, Toumani Diabaté, Dembo Konté, or Alhaji Bai Konté to hear it. They're all well-know kora players. I also have interesting learning the basics of the Tama, the Gambian "talking drum" and the kutiro and sabar. 

One reason to study traditional instruments is that the teaching is usually in the family compound and many of the teacher's allow you to stay overnight. That would allow me a chance to be "safe" and to hear the dance hall music too. 

Why

Many people have asked why I'm undertaking this adventure. There are actually many reasons. The first began a few years ago when I began learning West African Drumming. All of my African teachers were folks who had left spouses, children and extended family in their homeland in order to earn money to send to them. (The YEARLY income in West Africa is $309!) These teachers were sharing their culture as a means of helping families they only would see once or twice a year. I am going in order to "give back" to those teachers in the only way I can.

A second reason is that I am fascinated by the use of their music within daily life. Each rhythm is connected to one or more aspects.   A whole category of rhythms is "cultivation", where there are separate rhythms for the various activities: hoeing, planting, harvesting, etc. There are others just for "rites of passage" such as baby naming, circumcision, courtship, marriage and death. I wanted to experience their music within daily life. Many have to do with Muslim holidays and general celebrations. I am going to Makumbaya, a village with no electricity or plumbing, in order to experience the music in that setting.