This medley of 3 rhythms begins with Jondon or slave dance which originated in ancient Mali. It is danced by women and depicts the agony of slavery in this slow rhythm. Followed by Wolorsodon, a rhythm and dance that celebrates freedom from slavery and also symbolically honors and reaffirms family commitment to one another. Finally, Saramaya, a traditonal Bambara/Bamana song (translation in Donkilo, Songs of Manding Traditions, Djimo Kouyate), basically says that if you are a good and noble person then you will be like the elephant, bigger than so many others around you in so many different ways.
For more songs from West Africa and slave plantations played on the Akonting and for performance information contact Steve Levitt at www.duelingshoes.com
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