WHAT’S ON: Jaliba rocks Mbour

The Gambian musical superstar and kora virtuoso Jaliba Kuyateh, recently, stormed Mbour, a tourist resort town about 75km from Dakar, and filled lots of hearts with his lyrics in a night described as exceptional in this year’s summer holidays.

Jaliba’s live performance was the peak event of the activities marking the annual summer cultural programmes in Mbour organised by the strong Mandingo community living in Senegal’s Petite Côte (meaning Little Coast).

Thousands of fans from the regions of Dakar, Thiès and other surrounding areas stormed Mbour to attend Jaliba’s performance which was long awaited. The Gambian kora star was as usual up to the task with his band that filled the air with the wonderful lyrics and melodies of his songs.  Mbour Darbo, Teri Kafo and other tracks in his new album excited the cheerful crowd that enjoyed for over four hours the magic of Jaliba’s kora. The contact between the king of Gambian kora and his fans sounded like a reconciliation for many people who felt disappointed last year when Jaliba was announced for the same event but failed to turn up due to his tour in America.

Cheikhou Dabo, chairman of la Collectivité Mandingue de Mbour, the umbrella body for all Mandingos living in Mbour, expressed joy and satisfaction over Jaliba’s performance. “Jaliba Kuyateh is no stranger to Mbour. Whenever he comes here, it’s like he is in The Gambia. He has always accompanied us in our cultural activities and his performance is always a date for my people and other communities living with us in Mbour.”

Cheikhou Dabo said he believes that the cultural activities of his organisation are means to further strengthen ties between the peoples of Senegal and The Gambia. “Borders between Senegal and the Gambia are just artificial setups from the colonial masters. The onus is now on us to ensure that we do not allow any cultural gap between the two peoples” Mr Dabo added.

Jaliba’s concert in Mbour has now become a must in the yearly Mandingo cultural display centred around male circumcision. Dozens of children have been circumcised this year under the supervision of la Collectivité Mandingue de Mbour.

The period is known to be very recreational in Mbour as the city becomes the centre of attention for many Senegalese in Dakar and other regions who travel to see the rare appearances of the Kankurang. The festivities ended last weekend.

Mbaye Dièye Faye, a famous Senegalese musician has immortalised this annual event with a song in praise of Mbour and its symbol, the Kankurang.