Feb 08, 2010
Bonjour From Mali!
We made it!! Late Saturday night we arrived into Bamako, Mali after a long trip from Los Angeles. Jetlagged and fatigued, we were nonetheless excited to get started on our newest project- the development of a music school in the village of Krina, Mali. We woke early yesterday morning to make the hour trip from the city of Bamako, where we are staying, out to Krina. Several members of the PFC team that is with us here in Mali (Mark Johnson, Jon Walls, and Enzo Buono) were part of a larger team that traveled to Krina back in December to film and record some amazing musicians, and their stories of the Village had us beyond excited to get there!! Along with our Mali guides and friends Mahmadou Diabate and Seydou Dembele, we piled into three cars and were off!!!
What we experienced upon arriving into Krina defies description- it was incredible!!! We were met on the main road by a group of hunters and musicians; simultaneously firing rifles into the air signifying our arrival and playing gorgeous, soulful, uplifting music on indigenous instruments such as the cora. We were then led past a huge gathering of village people, mostly women and children, who welcomed us and then joined in on what became a joyous parade through the streets of Krina ending at the center of the Village, where we met to the Village Elders and the Chief!! After introducing ourselves around the circle and paying our respects, we were treated to an incredible ceremony of music and dance (we all got up and danced with them!!) for the next few hours... it was truly magical. The people of Krina welcomed us with open arms and spirits, and we are thrilled to begin working together with them to build the first music school ever in Krina, Mali.
Our first day here in Mali was so inspiring- it's hard to believe we've only been here just over 24 hours! We're heading back out to the village today, for some more formal meetings and what is sure to be an amazing performance by our friend Baba Maal, who is making the trip out with us to play with Mahmadou Diabate and the local musicians!!! More stories to come soon, thanks for checking in!!
-Whitney