Played on my home made Akonting. Learned from the recording of Joe Diatta of the Jola people of Senagambia, West Africa by Nick Bamber. Ulf Jagfors posted.

Home made Akonting Ampa Youtou Joe Diatta Nick Bamber Ulf Jagfors frictionpeg

I visited the Gambia in 2007, to learn about the akonting (ekonting) an African musical instrument that is now widely considered to be an ancestor to the banjo. For me, the most striking things about the akonting was (and is) that the right hand motion is so similar to clawhammer and minstrel /stroke --style playing as described in banjo instructional books published in the 1850's and 1860's. My guide and host was Daniel Jatta, who was raised in the village of Mandinari. Daniel was a generous and knowledgeable host. He introduced me to Remi and Ekona Diatta, (nephew and uncle who live in Mlomp, Senegal) who I have come to regard as master musicians. The akonting players of Daniel's youth were almost all gone by the time I visited. However, Sagari Sambou, apparently the last akonting player in Mandinary lived nearby. Ekona, Daniel and I went to visit. Sagari was not feeling well, and only played for us a little. Soon Ekona was handed the akonting, Ulf Jagfors stated in a recent email " We do not know ( he didn´t) for sure how old he was but my best guess is somewhere around 75-80 years of age. As they say in Gambia, age is just numbers. We have a video interview with him and a short clip of him playing the Akonting and also dance Jola dances. He was the closest friend to Daniel Jatta´s father in Mandinari Village. Several on this list has meet him. He attended as elderly guest of honor at the last traditional festival of traditional music in Mandinari village 2006. He is <b>...</b>

Banjo akonting ekonting Jola Daniel Jatta Remi Diatta Ekona Diatta Banjo roots African banjo bluegrass old-time chuck levy Banjourneys Mandinari Mandinary Sagari Sambou Ulf Jagfors banjochuck

This video shows traditional Jola body patting and dances by girls from Mlomp, Casamance region, Southern Senegal. It was recorded at The Akonting Center for Senegambian folkmusic, Mandinari, Gambia July 2006

West African Traditional Dances Ulf Jagfors

Joe Diatta (Jatta in english) plays an old Jola tune on the three string gourd lute Ekonting (Akonting). The name of the tune is Ampa Youtou, Child of Yuotou, a village in southern Senegal.The Akonting is one possible West African forerunner to the New World banjo.

West African Traditional String Music Ulf Jagfors

Gong Go lamellophone played by Suleymane Camara from the Boke region, Guinneee Cona Kry. Recorded in Banjul, Gambia July 2003.

West African traditional music Ulf Jagfors

This video features one of the best Akonting player, Ekona Jatta from Mlomp, Casamance region, Southern Senegal.In slowed down and up the speed tempo he demonstrates advanced Akonting playing

West African String Music Ulf Jagfors

This is a very rare video of the late Scott Didlake, 1948-1994, pioneer gourd banjo builder and the lost origin of the banjo researcher. He his talking at a Gourd banjo workshop during the Tennessee Banjo Institute event 1992 together with Mike Seeger and Clark Buehling..

Banjo History Ulf Jagfors

Bolon Batu is a four string bridge large gourd harp (harp lute)used in the Senegambian/Guinea region.It is a folk instrument used for dancing, singing and is sometimes played with other instruments like Balafons and Tam-Tam drums. This video shows the songster Souleymane Camara from Guinnee Conakry. Recorded in Banjul 2003

West African traditional string music Ulf Jagfors

This video shows Remi Jatta from Mlomp, Casamance region,how to play the Akonting on an intermediate level.

West African String Music Ulf Jagfors

Daniel Jatta shows you some basics for playing the Akonting. This is the way Daniel learned from his father in the 1980s.

West Africa Traditional String Music Ulf Jagfors

I visited the Gambia in 2007, to learn about the akonting (ekonting) an African musical instrument that is now widely considered to be an ancestor to the banjo. For me, the most striking things about the akonting was (and is) that the right hand motion is so similar to clawhammer and minstrel /stroke --style playing as described in banjo instructional books published in the 1850's and 1860's. My guide and host was Daniel Jatta, who was raised in the village of Mandinari. Daniel was a generous and knowledgeable host. He introduced me to Remi and Ekona Diatta, (nephew and uncle who live in Mlomp, Senegal) who I have come to regard as master musicians. The akonting players of Daniel's youth were almost all gone by the time I visited. However, Sagari Sambou, apparently the last akonting player in Mandinary lived nearby. Ekona, Daniel and I went to visit. Sagari was not feeling well, and only played for us a little. Soon Ekona was handed the akonting, Ulf Jagfors stated in a recent email " We do not know ( he didn´t) for sure how old he was but my best guess is somewhere around 75-80 years of age. As they say in Gambia, age is just numbers. We have a video interview with him and a short clip of him playing the Akonting and also dance Jola dances. He was the closest friend to Daniel Jatta´s father in Mandinari Village. Several on this list has meet him. He attended as elderly guest of honor at the last traditional festival of traditional music in Mandinari village 2006. He is <b>...</b>

Banjo akonting ekonting Jola Daniel Jatta Remi Diatta Ekona Diatta Banjo roots African banjo bluegrass old-time chuck levy Banjourneys Mandinari Mandinary Sagari Sambou Ulf Jagfors banjochuck

This recording was made July 2002 in Banjul and shows a Jali/Griot Xhalam lute player.The Xhalam is semi spike lute that has been used in West Africa for more than 1000 years. Visit my Blog site for more info www.myspace.com/banjoulf

West African string music Ulf Jagfors

Seperewa teen string bridge harp is an ancient type of instrument within the Akan ethnic groups in Ghana. The Seperewe belongs to the Ashanti, Akan sub group. The Fanta,another Akan sub group, have a similar harp. Recorded in the city of Kumasi at the Centre for Cultural and African studies, March 2006.

West African traditional string music Ulf Jagfors

Dancing

Dancing jagforce 68