A gifted griot of his generation, Karamoko embodies Manding musical heritage. A multi-instrumentalist – Kora, N'Goni, Balafon, Peul Flûte – and talented percussionist, he trained with great masters, including Soungalo Coulibaly, Adama Dramé and Fadouba Oularé. He played with Kady Diarra and has opened for Salif Keita, Youssou’n dour and Judie Mowatt.

Karamoko has assembled and mentored youth dance, music and theater groups in Burkina and Ivory Coast such as Faso Denya (photo below). Following the success of their previous European, African and Asian tours, Karamoko will tour Europe again with them in 2024. He currently plays with the groups Yéléna, Bakh Yaye, Nissondia, Yamo Yamo 'Tillani: 'The Sharing'. Trained in various instruments in Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Mali, Guinea Conakry, he continues to tour through Africa, Europe, the Antilles, and Mayotte (Source: K. Sanogo).

Kara has recorded 3 Manding rhythms with DecodeNoir. My rhythm selection and captions below are informed by dance workshops with les Sissoko de Mali, Brahima Dit Banjougou of Mali, Karamoko Kone of Ivory Coast – and their dance associates from France : Amelie Féreol, Manu Sissoko, Gaelle Roussigne. 

The author seeks to unite ancestral dances, rhythms and imagery – updating the site as data is collected. Like every aspect of life in the Global South, rituals have been disrupted by Euro-colonial invasions and prohibitions, looting and buying – yet African cultures show their resilience in these living rhythm codes.