Rambax, the Senegalese drumming ensemble at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) hosts a weekend of events celebrating the musical traditions of griots from Africa and the Diaspora on the weekend of February 25-27. The Festival, held in conjunction with Black History Month, is curated by MIT artist-in-residence Lamine Touré and Prof. Patricia Tang.
Masters of words and music, griots are the hereditary musicians and keepers of oral history who have played an important role in many African cultures for centuries. For this event, Rambax will be joined by the Mbaye Family Drum Troupe, one of Senegal’s most renowned families of griot drummers. Specialists in the sabar tradition, the Mbaye Family Drum Troupe is descended from 14th-century griots who accompanied the kings to the front lines of battle, drumming and singing their praises. The Mbaye Family Drum Troupe currently performs in Senegal at weddings, baptisms, sabar dances, political meetings and wrestling matches.
The Troupe is featured in a book by MIT ethnomusicologist Patricia Tang entitled Masters of the Sabar: Wolof Griot Percussionists of Senegal.
“We are delighted to bring back members of the Mbaye Family Drum Troupe again this spring to share their rich musical traditions with MIT and the greater Boston area,” says Professor Tang. “This year we are especially excited to have Aziz Seck among the Troupe members, as Seck is a veteran of mbalax, the genre of popular music that has dominated Senegalese airwaves since the early 1970s. Seck is a pioneer, being the first percussionist to introduce sabar into mbalax music. We look forward to Seck sharing his music and experiences with us.”
The festival will include drum and dance workshops led by members of the Mbaye Family Drum Troupe as well as other African artists currently residing in the US. There will also be a panel discussion with Aziz Seck which will give the public an opportunity to learn about the history and current role of griots throughout West Africa, with a focus on their role in the Senegalese popular music scene.
The festival will culminate in a gala performance of African music, drum and dance featuring the Mbaye Family Drum Troupe, Rambax MIT, and other guest artists including Pape Ba, Mariama Basse, Balla Kouyate, Babacar Ndiaye, Talla Ngom, Cheikh Ngom, Yeumougor “Paa” Seck, Babacar “Moha” Seck, and Demba Sene.
All events are open to the public unless otherwise noted. Made possible by MIT’s Music and Theater Arts Section, the Council for the Arts, and the School for Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences Dean’s Office.
GRIOT FESTIVAL SCHEDULE
Friday, February 25
Drumming with Griots: Sabar drumming workshop (beginner level).
1:30-3:00pm, Rm N52-199 (Endicott World Music Room, 265 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge). Led by members of the Mbaye Family Drum Troupe. No previous experience required. Space limited; first-come first-serve basis. Free and open to the public.
Drumming with Griots: Sabar drumming workshop (intermediate level).
3:00-4:30pm, Rm N52-199 (Endicott World Music Room, 265 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge). Led by members of the Mbaye Family Drum Troupe. For those with some previous drumming experience. Space limited; first-come first-serve basis. Free and open to the public.
Learning About History with Griots: A Conversation with Aziz Seck.
4:30-5:30pm Rm N52-199 (Endicott World Music Room, 265 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge). Conversation with master Senegalese drummer Aziz Seck (Senegal), mbalax pioneer, and the first percussionist to introduce sabar into Senegalese popular music. Moderated by Prof. Patricia Tang. Free and open to the public.
Dancing with Griots: Sabar dance workshop with Babacar Ndiaye (MIT only).
6:00-7:00pm Rm 50-201 (Walker Memorial, 2nd floor) Led by Babacar Ndiaye (Senegal). All levels welcome; limited to MIT community (ID required).
Saturday, February 26
African Dance Classes at the Dance Complex (open to public)
10:30am-4:30pm, African Dance Classes at the Dance Complex, 536 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge. $15 per class. Detailed schedule at web.mit.edu/rambax.
Griot Celebration. Gala Performance of African music, drum and dance performance featuring the Mbaye Family Drum Troupe, Rambax MIT, and other guest artists. Directed by Lamine Touré. 8 p.m., Kresge Auditorium (48 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge.) $5 with Student ID; $10 general admission.
Sunday, February 27
African Dance Classes at the Dance Complex (open to public)
10:30am-1:30pm, African Dance Classes at the Dance Complex, 536 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge. $15 per class. Detailed schedule at web.mit.edu/rambax.
