Kora - Idrissa Cissoko

[decongeniato]

Best stuff i've ever heard on Kora

[flam770]

HE IS THE MAN.

[13Orchidee]

Beautiful :)

[pinKstarzx]

I love this, you know what.. artists in the charts should incorporate these kinds of rarely heard sounds in their music. I think its lovely and it sounds so cultural, I mean stop with all the looping and sampling, and copy right infrignment, get down to earth with this beautiful sound!

[SolTetto]

@pinKstarzx it has been sampled numerous times. Bjork has some in a few of her albums, a lot of hiphop has kora sampled

[ibleedbeats]

God, can you imagine how fast he can text?

[pinKstarzx]

@ibleedbeats ahaha

[RichardFeynmanRules]

Pure genius! What an amazing artist. This is so beautiful and soulful. Thank your for sharing.

[didglesville]

I am at a loss as to how people can use foul language and get angry and upset whilst listening to possibly the most peaceful and beautiful instrument in Africa.

[jorgealbe1]

te quierop

[666thehazard]

Little Big Planet anyone? ;). Wonderful music.

[TheChapster88]

hahaha stupid hippy getting in the way

[Crouyette1]

bravo ! magnifique ... si vous souhaitez découvrir un fabricant de kora normand : instrumandingue.fr

[Crouyette1]

bravo ! magnifique ... si vous souhaitez découvrir un fabricant de Kora Normand ...

[RabidDawg31]

how do you tune a 21 string Kora? I just got one and need to learn how to tune it...

[relussier]

@RabidDawg31 It's tuned by knowing the songs that you play in the bass and accomp. The songs are set and the improv. above is just that, Improv. I don't play, but I have studied the instrument. I hope this gives you some direction! Good Luck. It's a beautiful instrument!

[TheChapster88]

@RabidDawg31

there are a few tunings I think the most common tuning is sauta which if tuned to F would be all the white notes on the piano, the other most common is seleba where the sixth string on the left and right are a semi tone lower than they would be in seleba.

So if your tonic is f the first string on the right would be F above midle C, the strings then oscilate as they go up the tuning, so on the 5th string on the left the note will be G above the F, 2nd string on right would be A

[TheChapster88]

@RabidDawg31 ok i keep mixing up the names of the tunings, so the sirst strings on the left is F below mid c and the other one is the F above. the 2nd string on the left is Mid C, the 3rd is the D above that, and the 4th an E above that. the 5th sting is the G above the F on the first sting on the right, the rest of the strings on the left side go up a third interval from the before it. This is the same on the right side appart from the 2 top strings which are one not above eachother.

[pwilson1980]

I saw a guy in Manchester a couple of weeks ago busking with one of these, the sounds he was getting out of it were beautiful.

[SargonTube]

Basma ganookh akhoni! Raaba moghebali zmartookh.

[rogermoore27]

the kora is a very nice instrument

[DjKelavey]

Suma black brother, yangi rofet, jerejiff

Dema buga play kora like yangi, but mangi to duff to know how! lol

[armymenis12]

God I hate it when people have these huge debates in the comments of videos.

[lionzion22]

@armymenis12

Anytime you fo to a video involving African or black people in general, expect it. Why? I dunno. Wait. Yes I do.

[tristan19861986]

@lionzion22 people who are racist are so limited, they dont realise that we are all the same

[LDCosmoledo]

yo

allez la kora !

le vol de l aigrette !

!!!-_-!!!

encore de la kora sur LDCosmoledo channel

[Friedbeer]

beautiful!

[boibrasileiro]

very nice

[MrSpliffjones]

would you all shut the fuck up and enjoy this beautiful intrument

[cannoir]

Tell them Spliff lol!

[po3ticTreachery]

I would love to know if there is an obtainable studio version of this

[wizzynoise4thewin]

what r u muppets on about?

what a nice song! such a special sound. makes me feel like everything is alright :)

[davidaud777]

nice instrument

[gcpdave]

beautiful

[damiajani]

These are the descendants of the Olmecs... Its sad to see that they have been forgotten... But their music lives on in the hearts of Mali and the Kora

[aspollett]

what or who are the descendants of the Olmecs? West Africans?

[trickay444]

Olmecs?

[jrockzmyv382]

I just looked up the "Olmecs"... This is what I found out... "The Olmec were an ancient Pre-Columbian people living in the tropical lowlands of south-central Mexico, in what are roughly the modern-day states of Veracruz and Tabasco." So, you can see how I am confused about them being descendants of the Olmecs.

[TRUTHTEACHER2007]

No they are not. The Olmecs were a people of Ancient Mexico.

[damiajani]

Not looking for an argument. Please google 'skeletal evidence of african olmecs'. Please believe what you want to believe. I contend that the Olmecs were people of African origin (specifically Mende speaking people) or at least living amongst other indiginous people in the area...

[TRUTHTEACHER2007]

Not looking for arguments either just clarification. I'm aware of the study, but its one thing to say they found African skeletons and another to say the Olmecs WERE Africans. Only 14% in one location and 4% in another were African. I think it is possible that these reflect shipwrecked Africans.  There is a legend in Manding of a fleet of explorers who were sent to see what was on the other side of the ocean, they never returned. The remains could belong to them.

[TRUTHTEACHER2007]

The other thing is lack of certain technological achievements in Mexico. West Africans were an Iron Age people. They were experts in smelting and casting iron. The MesoAmerican civilizations however had no knowledge in smelting metals. Even gold was not smelted, but beaten into shape by them. If the Olmecs were West Africans they would have this knowledge at least how to smelt gold. I believe they made contact with shipwrecked Africans, but not that they were Africans.

[damiajani]

Thank you for the reply. Very well put... I am open to your explanation and I think it is valid :).

[TRUTHTEACHER2007]

Wonderful instrument isn't it.

[ThatsABiggon]

You say lack of smelting among these people attest to them not being African. Is it not possible that those on the journey were not smiths? I'm American, but I can't build a house, TV, harness electricity, or build a fire FTM. If I were shipwrecked on some obscured island, 200 years from now my achievements there would belie my cultural origins because I am not an expert at any.

[ThatsABiggon]

I play piano, but I don't build them, so my attempts to construct one (or anything in my culture) would be as crude as the attempts at metal work in this region you claim. Were there examples of smelting found w/the small percentage of African remains found?

BTW, what are your sources, please. Thank you

[TRUTHTEACHER2007]

You would still have your religion, music, dance, instruments. So they would have been a whole bunch of stone masons and architects shipwrecked in Mexico, but no one who knew how to make a wheel, smelt metals.  No memory of their religious practices, or how to make a musical instrument? These are all things that African slaves were able to retain in the triangle trade, but supposed free people couldn't? Just consider the many skills that sailors need to have.

[ThatsABiggon]

I'm really not trying to argue. I'm only offering alternatives, so please don't take anything I say as an insult or that I'm demeaning your POV. That said, I still think that given the state of these people after a wreck (given the degree of devastation) it is feasible that the surviving crew had no serious knowledge of the crafts attributed to their culture. Religions fade (as they did in the USA& Caribbean amongst most Africans)....

[ThatsABiggon]

& cultural practices can be polluted especially when contact is made with another culture. Also, you failed to answer my question: was there any evidence of smelting found near the remains of the Africans? Again, I'd love to know your sources, as this is a major field of interest for me. Thanks again.

[TRUTHTEACHER2007]

I don't think so, otherwise it would have been mentioned and if there was smelting, evidence of metal working would have been found and passed on. Meso Americans had no knowledge of iron or any other metal working. Being shipwrecked is possible, but out of that, you do not get the founding of a civilization.

[TRUTHTEACHER2007]

I understand. However, if they were shipwrecked and were at such a basic level, how could they create such complex stone sculptures? How could they create such architecture? As for religion and other cultural practices, they may not survive in the same way they did in the homeland, but significant vestiges do remain. In the Caribbean we have many cultural retentions in language, religion, foods etc. If slaves could retain it in hostile circumstances how much more free people?

[ThatsABiggon]

I promise I won't beat this to death. BUT. Now, in comparing slaves to those who came willingly we must not neglect duration of time: how long were these Africans there before the structures were erected? Could it have been a reinvention of skills? Religion usually survives as long as its original practitioners have not been invaded or converted to another, like ancient Egypt for instance. Were such structures erected in their own region of Africa?

[ThatsABiggon]

We must also note the population contrast between us & the shipwrecked.We had vast communities to keep fragments (as is the case in the USA)of our traditions alive.What was their population compared to the locals?There had to be interaction with these locals. to what extent was the influence?I, for myself, cannot say that the Olmec was undoubtedly not African because to me there isnt enough sound proof (that I yet see) to say either way.BTW, why were the Olmec targeted as being African anyway?

[ThatsABiggon]

SOURCES PLEASE!!!!

[Jamaicanboi1967]

Because the giant head carvings found in the area have thick lips and flat noses. The thing is Africans are not the only people in the world with flat noses or thick lips. There are a lot of Mexicans in my area from that region and they look just like those heads. Also, you find many East Asians and South East Asians with large features.

[ThatsABiggon]

Two things I must point out 1. Mexican or Latino is not a race: They are a nationality & language group. Saying Mexican is a race is like saying Tiger Woods or Haley Berry were a race of their own & saying Latino as a race is like saying the American race. lol. Mexicans are a mixture of native (Asiatic), Spanish, & yes AFRICAN. The Spanish word Mexican actually means mixture. It is reported that 12,000 Africans were present in Mexico by the 19th century...

[ThatsABiggon]

2. The heads were not only totally African in appearance, but they also had definitive hairstyles native only to Africa. Plus, as far as I know, there are no native people there with these clearly African features (even I don't look that African & I'm 100%. lol) & you've surely never seen a Mexican who looked like that. I was raised in a 90% Mexican city in a 80% Mexican state & I've seen from Indian, to white, to Asian, to nearly half African looking, but never like these structures...

[ThatsABiggon]

. I don't know what the Olmec was, but I do believe that Africans not only landed here, but made an impression on this area. The marvels of Africa are still being discovered & I won't be surprised if similar structures are unearthed (if allowed or reported). Remember, Africa gained a major "face lift" when Europe invaded & started kicking everything around. Remains of the libraries at "Timbuktu" were only found a few years ago...

[ThatsABiggon]

BTW, it was scientifically proven (researchers in Texas) that Chinese people are direct descendents of Africans, so that dose explain similarities in certain facial structures in Asia. Also, every group on earth are exaggerations of two black skinned wooly haired people who existed before time was charted. My belief is that the oldest people are the black aboriginal Australians/Tasmanians & then the aboriginal African, but science has the final word & my speculation is yet to be founded.

[Jamaicanboi1967]

May be. All science will tell us is what we already knew all along, everyone on this planet is related.. However, before I believe theories of distant cultures impacting one another, I need to see much more proof than a few statues. I need to see architectual, technological, and ideological similarities. Thus far, I've seen nothing to support the idea of a regular cross Atlantic contact between these two regions.

[Jamaicanboi1967]

Making an impression on a people and creating the civilization are two completely different things. As for similar structures being "unearthed" in West Africa I doubt it they didn't build in stone but wood and mudbrick and the style of architecture is very different. As for the libraries they were never lost they've been right there in Sankore. Its just that the outside world never bothered to see what is there till recently.

[Jamaicanboi1967]

It all depends on what part of Mexico those people were from. They don't all look alike. I have seen people from the area in question, who look just like those heads. I went up and asked them where they were from, (didn't tell them why I was asking).

Even if those heads are Africans it still doesn't mean the Africans founded the civilization only that they captured their likenesses.

[Jamaicanboi1967]

By the way I'm Truthteacher: Mexico is pronounced Mehico. It is a Spanish pronunciation of the name of the people of the original people who lived there the Mechica. During colonialism there were many Africans who were brought to the area, some as free people, most as slaves particularly on the coast. I never used the term Latino. Mestizo is the term used to describe a person of mixed Spanish and Native ancestry.

[Jamaicanboi1967]

There are no structures in West Africa like the ones we find in Meso America I am of the opinion that the Olmecs were not Africans. I think if there was a pre Columbian contact, it might have been fishermen blown off course in a storm who landed in Mexico But to say they founded the Olmec civilization would be like saying the Spanish sailors from the Armada who washed up on the shores of Ireland during the reign of Elizabeth were the originators of Irish civilization.

[swimmingmantis22]

lol your right.but is it not funny how people try and shoot us down before they even reserch whats being said lol

[TRUTHTEACHER2007]

No one is putting anyone down. I made no personal attack on anyone. Why is it so many people today are able to hold a civil discussion without feeling attacked or slighted.

[swimmingmantis22]

really i have no idea what your talking about,i cvould care less about a lot of things said.i only mentioned due to another comment how things or people can be discredited before the truth be knowm.i did not mean to come off as if i was sayibg your attaking anyone,again im not worried about such a thing.notice the lol in the comment.peace

[po3ticTreachery]

LOL @ the guy saying GAWD when that rude lady comes and sits RIGHT in front of his video cam

[phobophobe]

ROFL @ when that bitch sat down

[smartcrazyrabbit]

i have been back from Africa for a week now and i stayed in a hotel and our guide conteh played the cora all the time for us! it cheered me up soo much because we went away in a big group and im only 14, first time iv been away wiv out me mum or dad 4 two weeks lol its soo good to hear it again! thanks for uploading it :D

[dieregentropfen]

wooooooooow.

[thatguy431]

This instrument is sick! Its so beautiful, and very well played. Seems like it would take a hell of a lot of time to learn to play this well.

[MewBlackberri]

Well it has 21 strings, so that would take quite a bit of time. It'd think it'd be a bit easier than it seems at first glance, though. (Not saying it'd be easy, simply not as impossible as one may think.)

[leftysergeant]

I was looking at this from the perspective of how hard it is to paly compared to lyres like the krar, nyatiti, obukano or begena or a European harp.. Then it dawned on me that you have all those strings to find with your fingers while still trying to hold the instrument upright. With the other lyres and harps, you can at least use the positions of your arms to keep track of where you are.

Coordinated much?

[bearshimmy1]

this put a smile on my face =)

[RicdiculousNZ]

Fantastic Brother! I know what it's like, and I too use the controlled breathing technique, it takes dedication. Had an obnoxious drunk walk in front of me during the first performance of Toumani Diabate at WOMAD too, check out my video I think you'll like it too.

[EugenSedko]

amazing guy! plays very well, 5 stars!

[ders62]

vay be

[pjpj2008]

Man I hate it when people just step infront!!! Stupid whittie! Love the video and the kora as well!

[NejmaB]

C'est la musique du liquide amiotique...originelle.

[syverone]

i have played on that cora on the subway.. i met him in norway :D lol thats insane

[Sollesnes]

Nice, where in Norway?

[benGman06]

haha that is pretty insane

[sethbergs]

Haha, Thanks for getting a better shot after that lady sat infront of you. I wish i was there!! such a relaxing music

[daleryanshutchinson]

i like

[kamustzisgart]

the kora uses not the modes we know, it uses two kinds of tuning, used in specific songs. That's what I know.

[Antrado]

You should write Idrissa Sissoko... And not Cissoko. It's a "S".. I know it, 'coz I worked for the Festival on Summer 2007 and I met his brother Mansa, who is so nice.

[thegoldblack]

c ouf a paris on kiffffffffffffff

[john9ten]

Fantastic. I am a jarocho harpist, which is intricate (search on chucumite to see my vids), but I can't figure this out!! Amazing!

[brucecorian]

sounds like an harp,sweet sound.

[nytram42]

Beautiful! I wish I knew what he was aying. :(

[spikewhitey]

Sounds like he's staying in the Lydian mode

[Nomennomins]

It's Dorian... relativa minore of Lydian.

[ethiopiansarehot]

what modes do kora players use? are there any kora players in or near Byron Bay?

[jacktojack69]

Get in touch with the hottentots.

[kindu2006]

of course, respect these hottentots, for they gave the world music!

[ethiopiansarehot]

haha, stupid hippies. if anyone knows good west african music to check out, please share it with me. much love

[karl77oi]

This is awesome. I wish I had a kora. It makes finger picking on a guitar seem boring.

[JAMESBEATLES]

GGGGGGOOOODD

[gurdonark]

Very nicely done. I enjoy kora music. I wish someone would post some samples at the Freesound Project for remixing purposes. thanks for sharing this video.

[summerfae]

you can download a program where you can strip the music off of youtube and create your own files with it. it's not hard or costly at all. :)

[aclockworkgnome]

great job! wonderful to listen to.

[MakeItFunkey]

This is it! Nice. Beautiful music.

[xmiquix]

good performance, the kora is a beautiful instrument.

[RAHKAKAGU]

I would recommend you this album called New Ancient Strings, by Toumani Diabate & Ballake Sissoko. It Will be a journey you will never forget...

[kindu2006]

BEAUTIFUL...I feel like a rain being combed by the wind

[sinenergy]

I first heard about the Kora and Kora playing traditions in Mali on the BBC documentary "Sahara". I have to say one of the most beautiful sounding instruments that I have ever heard. Gives me goose bumps! I missed Toumani Diabate playing in Denmark this summer, and I was just few thousand kms away in Finland. But hopefully some day when I get to travel to Africa I heard it first hand. This is just mind blowing - long live the spirit of Africa

[syverone]

i met a guy who had a kora with him on the train.,, and the story was.. that the teachings went from father to son.. he had learned to make it and play it.. the strings was standard fishing strings.. annd the big box was made traditionaly of turtle shells,,, it was a beutiful story and a beutiful sound. i tried it aswell.. drunk git that i am... didnt go to well lol..

[cave82]

move your head, dread

[paullaganne]

love kora, love africa

[kiuioiuytrew]

i have never seen such a musical instrument=O i like the beautiful sound