N'goni

History of the N’goni

The n’goni is a stringed instrument hailing from West Africa. The danso n’goni is the instrument traditionally used by the hunters from the historic Wassoulou region of Mali, Guinea, and Côte d'Ivoire which was used ceremonially to accompany the stories of epic hunts and hunter’s mythology. 

The kamale n’goni, known as the “young man’s harp”, is a modern pentatonic instrument that evolved from the traditional six stringed danso n’goni. During this evolution, the kamale n’goni began to be played for reasons other than hunting ceremonies which changed the rhythms and melodies of the music. In the Bambara language of Mali, kamale means “young man”.

Wassoulou music, a tool for women’s empowerment

The kamale n’goni lends itself to Wassoulou music, a genre of African music named after the Wassoulou region of West Africa performed mostly by women that passionately addresses women’s issues such as childbearing and fertility.