The second edition of music and dance traditions in Mali begins with the largest ethnic group in terms of numbers, the Bamana in the from Baninko region. At the same time, the first film gives insight into the approach of field research. Two further documentaries introduce the musical heritage of the Dogon of the Stone Plateau and the Bwa in the Tominian region.

THE PERFECT SYMBIOSIS
Fòli – Music of the Bamana (32min)

Only a small part of the rich musical heritage of the Bamana could find its way into this documentation. Nevertheless, the chosen genres testify to the great importance of the interaction of song, instrument and dance at the many different occasions in the life cycle of the Bamana.

FOLLOWING THE ANCESTORS’ PATHS
The Dogon of the Stone Plateau (29min)

The mask dances of the Dogon have established their fame. Furthermore, meaningful funeral songs occupy an important place in their musical repertoire. A wide array of most diverse drum music as well as restrained sounds on flutes and lutes accompany their popular dances at festivities.

ONE NEVER STOPS GETTING TO KNOW THE WORLD
Dimiɲa ɓɛ zun ve
Music and dance of the Bwa (33min)

Buffalo horns, talking drums, xylophones, flutes and harps are played by the Bwa at rituals and public festivities in the savannah of Mali. The fascinating sound of these instruments, the rhythms and the songs offer insight into an ancestral tradition.

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