This is the perfect way to upgrade your Djembe and Dounoun skills with traditional West-African rhythms, directly from a grand master of Djembe, Barbara Bangoura Fakoly.


Babara Bangoura

Babara Bangoura Fakoly


Babara was born in Guinea and is half Soussou and half Malinké. Whilst still a child in Conakry he first became a member of the Ensemble des Percussions de Guinée Junior and subsequently the Djoliba National Ballet Company.

He has lived in Belgium since 1999. As a spiritual heir of the great Guinean master Mamady Keïta, he passes on the Guinean tradition and art of the djembe. Both musician and teacher, as is Mamady, Babara travels throughout the world giving workshops and concerts, some of these with the legendary Sewa Kan ensemble. Groups specialising in musical styles from jazz to electro have also welcomed him, recording several of his compositions on their own albums.

Babara is also the founder of the International North-South Cultural Exchange Festival. This festival takes place in Conakry and provides musicians from all over the world with the opportunity to share their passion for the traditional Mandinke music and dance. As a djembefola, Babara is dedicated to promote Mamady's message: music has no boundaries, skincolour and is not an obstacle for meeting other cultures.

Babara Bangoura teaches students in Europe, China, Latin America, Africa and the USA. Babara's smile is contagious, bringing laughter to his students as he leads them through techniques and showmanship style.