Babila Records

WHAT ABOUT BABILA...

BABILA is a small town located in central east of Guinea in West Africa. Beautifully situated on the banks of the river Niger and its tributary Niandan, the region is mainly populated by the Malinke ethnic group. The area is called “Hamana”.

The traditional music of the Malinke consists mainly of percussion and singing. There is the djembe as solo instrument and the three bass drums Sangban, Dundunba and Kenkeni. The first two bass drums are additionally equipped with a bell. Each rythm has one or more songs. The songs as well as the rythms are often location-specific. Even in the neighboring village a rythm or lyrics may sound (slightly) different.