In Mansoa in 1981 young people around the balafon

We are in Mansoa in 1981, a group of young men and boys stand around the balafon, the ancient West African xylophone built from a wooden (sometimes also bamboo) structure in which a variable number of hollowed-out gourds (calebasse) are placed to act as sounding boards.

The balafon, a symbol of ancient cultural traditions rooted in the 12th century, when this instrument accompanied the griots, poets or singers, of the Mali Empire in their epic narratives. Among all types of balafon is the legendary Sosso-Bala, a sacred balafon is recognised by UNESCO as an intangible heritage of humanity.

These young Guinean men and boys around the balafon keep the voice of Africa alive across generations.