Mendiani

Mendiani (Mandiani, Bandiani, Den) is a wide spread played Malinke-rhythm, played in Guinea, Mali, Burkina Faso . The dance is performed by virgins (age 7 – 14) (Mamady Keïta; CD Nankama). There is a special costume for this dance. The men carry the girls to the ‘dance-floor’ in the village. There the girls start the dancing. Many villages have got their own ‘Mendiani’; the girl, for that period the best dancer. When she gets (too) old a successor is pointed out; she learnes the mendiani from the elder, at night, outside the village. (Famoudou Konaté)

Na mouya douma kourama
ai gba la nalela, na mouya douma

Sources
Lessons from:Martin Bernhard, Ponda O’Bryan, Fode Konaté, Mamoudou ‘Delmundo’ Keïta, Dancelessons from: Mamoudou ‘Delmundo’ Keïta,
Written material: Famoudou Konaté, Mamady Keïta, Serge Blanc, Stephan Rigert, Åge Delbanco, Paul Janse

Last updated 1 January 2015