This episode is dedicated to the memory of the great djembefola Mamady Keita, the Devil of Balandugu, who did so much to advance the appreciation of the music and culture of Manden all over the world.  Ka bank suma a koro- may the soil be cool upon him.

After three months wandering in the wilderness, Sumaoro returns to his fabled kingdom of Susu, where his step-brothers have used his long absence to intrigue against him.  In Susu, he is reunited with his elder sister, Kasiya.  He confides in her about his journey, and the bala, the wondrous instrument shown to him by the jinn, with which he is now obsessed.  Finally, we learn the terrible price the King of the Jinn is asking for it.

CAST:  

Sumaoro Kantè- Frank Oglesby

Kasiya Kantè- Lezlie Harrison

Numunkeba/Jinna Maghan/Announcer- Ahmat Jallo

Lancei the Blacksmith- Mangue Sylla

Numudi- Maguette Sylla

Fodè- Aminata Sylla

Keleya Konkon- Mamasata Sylla

Kefarin, Male Slave, and Baby Fakoli- Aaron Greenberg (Arouna Kouyate)

Cast Headshots and Bios can be found at https://tariku.net/castandcrew

MUSIC:

"Numu Foli", arranged by Bassidi Konè

Bassidi Konè- djembe, bala

Papa Diabatè- djeli ngoni

Yaya Coulibaly- vocals

Mohamed Koussoubè- dunduns

https://open.spotify.com/artist/3D5YOJ9tk93cLrZZp59172

"Sumaoro's Theme" arranged by Arouna Kouyate (Aaron Greenberg)

Andy Algire- bala

Mohamed Kantè- vocal sample

"Jina Foli" composed and performed by Mamadou Sidibe https://music.apple.com/us/album/dounouya/1395903854

Young Sumaoro Kantè, Prince of the great city-state of Susu, is initiated into the world of sorcery by his elder sister, Kasiya.  Years later, as a grown man and newly crowned King, the mysterious Lord of the Jinn leads him on a strange adventure in the wilderness ...

CAST

(in order of appearance)

Lezlie Harrison- Kasiya Kantè

Ahmat Jallo- Jinna Maghan/Announcer

Frank Oglesby- Sumaoro Kantè

Bios, headshots, and other cast info available at:

https://tariku.net/castandcrew

MUSIC

"Jina Foli" composed and performed by Mamadou Sidibe https://music.apple.com/us/album/dounouya/1395903854

"Kawa" performed by Fadouba Oulare and ensemble

https://music.apple.com/us/album/fadouba/279743069

"Baho" performed by Fodè Seydou Bangoura and ensemble

https://music.apple.com/us/album/baho/200351383?i=200351451

"Sumaoro Fasa" performed by Andy Algire and Bassidi Konè

https://open.spotify.com/artist/3D5YOJ9tk93cLrZZp59172

AN EARTH SHATTERING ANNOUNCEMENT THAT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE FOREVER!!!!!

There's something different about us!  See if you can tell what it is....maybe we changed our hair?

I ni fama!  You and the absence!  I apologize to all my listeners for the long wait as I navigated the turbulent waters of these times, but good things come to those who wait!  The three hunters meet, the Buffalo of Do continues her rampage, a pitched battle with hyenas, and we meet one of the greatest heroes of our story.  

Original music in this episode:

"Sakodugu" performed by Arouna Kouyate

"The Turamagan-Queens Expressway", original arrangement by Arouna Kouyate, with a sample from "Tiramakan" performed by Salif Keita and Rail Band de Bamako. 

Forrest Fodè Matthews- Djembe.

"Fakoly" arrangement by Arouna Kouyate and Forrest Fodè Matthews. 

Arouna Kouyate- kora and vocals

Forrest Fodè Matthews- percussion

Special Thanks to Adama Diallo/Coleman Donaldson for lending his linguistic expertise to the recitation at the end of this episode.  If you want to learn to speak Manding (the most beautiful language in the world!) Adama is your guy!  Check him out at https://www.ankataa.com/ and be sure to check out his YouTube Channel  https://youtu.be/e2E91IAu5s4!

The Hunter gets help on his hunt from a most unlikely place.  We are introduced to King Fara "The Handsome" Keita, and his court at Niani.  We meet his jeli (bard and chief advisor) Nankoman Doua.  Doua's son, Fasali, begins his training as a jeli.  We hear the first foretelling of the hero of our story, and its villain.

Special thanks to Scott Slater for his editorial assistance.

Check out our blog for deeper dives into Manden culture, history, and music!   https://tariku.net/blog

Check out our YouTube Channel! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCT4Gk_z95W5gJd50Wu7BRQw

Music in this Episode:

"Sogononkoun" Manden traditional, performed by Mangue Sylla and The All-Star Drummers of Guinea, Dunnun Kan, Chesky Records, 2015. https://music.apple.com/us/album/dunnun-kan-with-the-all-star-drummers-of-guinea/1020260587 

"Kulanjan" Manden traditional, original performances by Sam Dickey and Edouard Chaize Diabate

"Kulanjan" Manden traditional, performed by Benyoro, from Benyoro, 2014: vocals- Bebe Camara, jeli ngoni- Sam Dickey, kora- Yacouba Sissoko, bala- Andy Algire. https://music.apple.com/us/album/benyoro/897232752

"Takonani and Demosonikelen" Manden traditional, arranged and performed by Fodè Seydou Bangoura and orchestra, Fakoly 1, 2006. https://music.apple.com/us/album/fakoly-1/200351383

"Soundiata" Manden traditional, Fodè Seydou Bangoura, Fakoly 1, 2006.

"Sumaoro Fasa" Manden traditional, original performance by Arouna Kouyate.

Two young hunters begin a new quest, and an old one contends with a very unusual quarry....

Music in this Episode: 

"Turamagan" Manding traditional.  Edouard Chaize Diabate on guitar, Arouna Kouyate on kora. 

"Nou Toumani"and "Jina Foli"  Mamadou Sidibe, Dounouya, copyright 2018 Music Sidibe  https://www.musicmali.com/buy-dc-dvd

"Sogononkoun" Mangue Sylla, Pablo Dembele, and The All-Star Drummers of Guinea, Dunnun Kan, copyright Mangue Sylla, Chesky Records 2015. https://music.apple.com/us/album/dunnun-kan-with-the-all-star-drummers-of-guinea/1020260587

It begins here.  The greatest story you may never have heard begins in the Land of the Condes by the Sankarani River, and just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water...

Original script by Arouna Kouyate, adapted from interviews with Al Hajj Jeli Mamady Kouyate, Sundiata: An Epic of Old Mali by D.T. Niane, translated by G.D. Pickett, and Sunjata: A West African Epic of the Mande Peoples by Djanka Tassey Conde, translated by David Conrad.  

Music in this episode: 

"Sunjata", Mande traditional, performed on the kora by Arouna Kouyate.

"Konden", Mande traditional, performed by Mangue Sylla and orchestra, Kon Koura, Copyright 2007 Mangue Sylla https://music.apple.com/us/album/kon-koura/215302966

To learn more about Mande culture, jeliya, and The Tariku Project, visit https://tariku.net/