Kora is a West African string instrument, sometimes also described as a harp-lute, which comes from the region that is nowadays The Gambia and Southern Senegal.  The beautiful-sounding instrument, usually with 21 strings, is one of the traditional instruments used by the jeli (or griots) of the Mandinka people. The jeli are singers, storytellers and keepers of history.

During this 2-day course, you will learn the basics of kora playing and get to know the fascinating musical traditions of the Mandinka people. No previous experience is needed and the teacher brings instruments for the participants to use during the course. If you happen to have a kora of your own, it is possible to get a discount to the course price (contact elina (at) festafrika.net before signing up for the course). Please sign up well in advance, so that we can get enough instruments for all participants!

Check the prices, instructions for signing up and other workshops on the workshop page!

The teacher for the kora playing course is Cheick Cissokho from Senegal, whose family has passed on songs, stories and the art of playing the kora from generation to generation for hundreds of years already. Born to a family of musicians, Cheick started playing the kora as a child, with his father Solo Cissokho and his grandfather Diali Kemo Cissokho as his teachers. He has performed with many West African artists, such as Solo Cissokho, Maher & Sousou Cissokho, Mamadi Keita and Seckou Keita. Cheick has been living in Finland since 2013 and plays here e.g. in the band Sila Fato. He has also played as a guest artist with ES-OW and the Ridial Band and on the Koralleja album by Aino Kurki.