The Konkoba (Concoba) is a rhythm connected to the farming. Farmers are working / dancing on this Konkoba-rhythm. The Konkoba Doundoun is also played when the farmers go back to the villages. Another way that the rhythm was used was to honour mighty or rich farmers. There are differences between the regions (Kouroussa, Mandiani, Faranah) in the explanation of the rhythm. Also have musicians made their own musical interpretation of it. Konkoba II is a dance-variation and Konkoba III is a very fast one, in 4 beats, played in ballets.
‘Konkoba rhythms being played while working in the fields. Konkoba is also played in honour of a powerful and rich farmer and for this reason the rhythm is also known as the “rhythm of the good workers”. The word means forest, jungle.’ (Mamady Keïta: A life for the Djembé)
‘A rhythm to to support the farmers in the fields with the ‘Daba’ (the hoe). A young man is acknoledged as a ‘Konkoba’ for his strenght and speedworking with his Daba. He has many fetishes and is therefore feared. The word refers both to the person and the rhythm.’ (text in booklet with CD Guinea: Malinke rhythms and songs (volume I) from Famoudou Konaté.
‘The fields have been prepared for planting, Konkoba has completed his work and returns to the village. He’s wearing a head-dress of antilope horns, and a hide adorned with bells, mirrors and cowry shells around his hips that jingles with every step. His adornments have potected him and given him the strenght to complete his difficult task. Konkoba is also the name of the rhythm that animates the one who is returning home, and the rest of the village, to dance.’ (Text in booklet with CD Hamana Foli Kan of Famoudou Konaté).
WAP - Pages
Konkoba / Concoba
Last updated 6 May 2005
Sources
Lessons from Martin Bernhard, Mamoudou ‘Delmundo’ Keïta, Mamady Keïta.
Written material: Mamady Keïta, Famoudou Konaté, Åge Delbanco, Paul Janse.