Bolon Bato a West African bridge harp

[alpharhythmroots]

Thank you "UlfJagfors" to clarified the names...

I would like to add that this instrument was originally a 3 strings instrument, only the recent yong folks from Guinea added a 4th and even a 5th string to it.

It is a hunters instruments and does not belong to the Jelis (the one playing the different Ngonis..) This instrument is said to have been around since around 1000 BCE (As you can see - it has no metalic part to it but only natural things that were available even before iron was made.

[kpimp10]

sound kinda like a hip hop beat for a second

[abasjewel]

Bien fait!! Bravo!!

[JesuitFarmer]

Sounds a bit like Bob Dylan, ha-ha.

[saedt]

does anyone know what he is singing about?

[djembesilo]

the title of the 2nd song doesn't match what souleymane is saying. he says that it is called 'maane'. the intro he does for it is the same as what is played on percussion for the mane rhythm. both yankadi and maane are from the susu repertoire (coastal guinea).

[Max0Inq]

Long name, indeed.

[elmataardillas]

Que no es un N'goni?

[UlfJagfors]

It is not an Ngoni. it is an Bolon Bato. There are three different types of string instrument with the name Ngoni.

A) A Griot/ Jali ( Muslim bards) four string wooden body lute played by the Bambara/Manika people in Mali.

B) A long neck, gourd body, bridge harp called Donce Ngoni played by the hunters of Bambara people in Mali.

C) A long neck bridge harp, similar to the Dance Ngoni, called Kamel Ngoni, who can be played by common people in Mali. It was developed during the 1950´s. Ulf J.

[throbule]

@UlfJagfors:

There is NO instrument called 'kamal' - the word is 'Kamale'.

Also, there is no instrument called 'donce' or 'dance' ngoni as you state.

The instrument is called a 'Donso' Ngoni, and it was not developed in the 1050s - it has been around for thousands of years in various parts of West Africa.

Peace...

[8SacredRoot8]

Tres Bon! Bon bon bolon batu!

[erdalea20]

Hes kickin it

[kamilkauz]

avec ces cordes il fait presque des son de dundun c'est trés beau merci

[Discofunkytrain]

Très intéressant de découvrir ces genres musicaux et instruments méconnus ! Bravo.

[TheToltec]

Very Nice:)

[skinsandstrings]

For anyone interested in owning one of these beautiful instruments , check out skinsandstrings !!!

[anitaalford]

Is this language french or falafa?

[UlfJagfors]

Well. I am not very good in French as you can hear from my attempt to interview him but he speaks French.

Ulf

[abasjewel]

@UlfJagfors yes, he is speaking French...the same as in the United States...in the South we speak one way and in the North another...I am fluent in French and he is speaking French.

[khrystal62]

merçi frèro pour le son sa tue

[oudbrakkenstein]

damn respect Skillz !! Viva africa

[conniegg]

A kora has 21, sometimes 19, strings and is used in most West African countries. A bolon has three or four strings and is used mostly in Guinea Conakry. They are different instruments.

[lionzion22]

This is no "folk" instrument. Its all over West Africa. From Mali to Senegal.

[IntelInside2020]

Please correct me if I'm wrong but isn't the one(e.g. Kora) used in Mali slightly different. The Kora used in Mali has many strings which allows for pretty complex polyrhythms and polyphony. Or, is the Kora and Bolon completely different altogether. I've seen youtube vids with Toumani Diabate playing the kora and it's one of the most beautiful sounding music I've heard.

[SambaLolo]

Both Kora and Bolon are in both Guinea and Mali.

They are different instruments but sometimes played together

Search for Ensemble Instrumental National du Mali.

If you are interested in bolon let me know.

[squishykitty3]

interested

[SambaLolo]

He is from Boke, playing on the Bolon rhythms which you will find played by the large dundun drums in the same region.

The first rhythm he plays is commonly named Yankadi and you will find a number of examples on iTunes or YouTube where it is performed with djembe and dundun ensembles.

Second is Mane (I never saw the Ma Lenghee spelling.

Bolon is not a griot instrument in that a djeli does not play it. However, the dunun IS a djeli instrument.

[boumalicious]

Is this Grand Soul, who plays on the Kotu beach strip, used to have a band African Kings?

[alydrums]

There are bolon players around. My husband is an excellent bolon player from Guinea who is based in Atlanta, GA. If you find a drummer from Guinea who played with a touring ballet or percussion group, they are likely to know how to play bolon.

[JustinComparable]

is he speaking french?

[UlfJagfors]

Yes

Ulf Jagfors

[conniegg]

Soleymane Camara still lives in The Gambia. He now is the lead singer of Guinea C, who also have a video on youtube. It's called Rastaman.

[yehan44bro]

oh man im like lookin at the thing for an hour he doesnt yet playin it..talkin talkin..

[balzacbee]

You can totally see where the berimbau probably evolved from. Then again, maybe evolved isn't the word.

[UlfJagfors]

You have to go to Senegal or Guinee Conacry to find those rather rare players.I have never after my recording been able to find him again. But he is good and I had wanted to make some more recordings for a CD of him.

Ulf Jagfors. Producer

Stockholm

[KawaiiRini]

That was tight. I wanna learn how to play this instrument. xD

[wanlov]

lovli vibes

[Blackstarguitar]

Dope!!!The good kind.

[Azizip17]

Very interesting! I will let folks at the online International folk music discussion forum I belong to-Mudcat Discussion forum-know about this video and your other videos. Thanks, UlfJagfors!