Music is a result of the combination of instrumental sounds to produce, release, and express emotions. Musicians use the power of notes, tones, sound, and melody to create the perfect music. Different genres act as the perfect food for the human soul and mind. The evolution of music from traditional to modern levels is amazing. Traditionally, as well as modern times, people use and express their emotions through music in various ways such as dancing.
African traditional musicians used rich African traditional music to express various aspects of life. The instruments such as drums and xylophones depending on regions would represent a given aspect of human life. Mostly traditional communities would hold gatherings and play music whereby people would dance and even perform spiritual rituals such as animal sacrifices.
African traditional musicians would sing orally and not in written form as Western music. The main reason why musicians sang orally was to pass an important message of the community. The coming generations would know the history of their communities through those songs.
Who is Mory Kante?
Mory Kante was a professional player of the traditional kora harp and Guinean musician. Internationally, his singles would hit and his albums would sell greatly in the continent. For example, Akwaba Beach sold many records at his time. The artist was born in French Guinea on 29th March 1950. His father was called El Hadj Djell and his mother, who was a singer too, was called Fatouma. Mory Kante went to the country of Mali when he was almost 8 years and he learned to play the harp there. His religion was Islamic.
The Career Of Mory Kante
During the 70’s Kante was a member of a band called the Rail. Mory Kante became the singer of the band years later. In the 80’s he produced a hit song that sold millions of copies and Europeans acknowledged it in the European countries. In the 2000s, the public nominated Mory as Goodwill Ambassador of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN. His albums include Courougnegne, N’Diarabi, A Paris, 10 Cola Nuts, Akwaba Beach, Touma, Nongo, Tatebola, Sabaou, and Best Of.
Death And Burial
Mory Kante died in Conakry on 22nd May 2020 at the age of 70 years. Reports confirm that the artist died because of untreated health issues. Mory Kante was to go overseas for specialized treatment but it was impossible. The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has caused several countries to close their borders inclusive of Guinea.
Before his burial, a lot of women broke into tears as they were watching his casket. Friends, close relatives, and government officials attended the burial ceremony in large numbers. Alpha Conde, the president, and other musicians sent tributes to Kante’s family. Indeed, the death of Mory Kante has left a gap in African cultural music and it may take a long time for the African culture to heal. As he rests in peace, may his spirit in music continue and reach the ends of the earth.
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