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Right from girlhood I’ve always dreamed of traveling through the continent of Africa. The cultures found there are only as diverse as the imagination; the people, the scenery, and of course the music. And since I have such a great desire to share with you music and books from all corners of the globe, it’s only natural that African music and literature will find its way here many times over. The music of Malam Barka is our first stop on the African musical journey. Hailing from Niger, his instrument of choice is the gurumi, a two-stringed instrument made of a calabash shell and iguana skin. While his musical style is traditional, the lyrics often discuss the modern-day issues and struggles of the people of Niger.
Wondering how it sounds? To western ears it’s enticingly foreign; listen closely and you may just find the roots for American blues greats like Taj Mahal. The energy of Malam Maman is unmistakable, and no one need be a gurumi expert to tell this man is a master. His voice weaves in and out of the ancient thrumming of his gurumi, the sounds of the douma and the kalongu backing him up. Guidan Haya