One of the most sought-after masters of the Djembe drum, Malinke Grandmaster Djembefola Moussa Bolokada Conde hails from the villages of the Sankaran region of Guinea.
Bolokada rose to fame in Guinea as a premier musician, whipping hordes of people into a frenzy at countless village ceremonies. The Guinea government later selected Bolokada to play lead percussionist for its formidable global touring troupe Les Percussions de Guinea.
In 1996, Bolokada’s exceptional skills brought him to America, where he has mesmerized thousands of students and audiences. Renowned globally, Conde continues to inspire students and ticket-goers from U.S. and Brazil, to China and Korea.
In addition to the Ballet, Conde is also developing a clean-water well for his home village Morowaya, where he visits annually to see his family and develop his community.
Why I start this Ballet
The first reason for doing this Ballet is because the Djembe is important. Because I remember how the Djembe take me from the little village to the big city, the big city to the capital city. Djembe then take me from the capital city to here, to America. This is why I create this, because Djembe is very important.
The second reason. I want somebody to see this company, to see this group, and say, ‘I want to do my best like Bolokada, be best like Youssouf’, be best like M’bemba.’
Third reason why I create this. After three years working at the University of Illinois-Champaign, I teach a lot of students. I teach them every week; they perform a lot with the students; After, they make a good group for this. Every where I work, in North Carolina, in California, people learn and make a group and share the drum and dance with friends, family, and their church.
This will help people in this world, that’s why I create this. I have to do this. This will make people more exciting in the world, people need this. The kids love the Djembe, love the dancing, they love to be happy. Djembe makes everyone happy.
I make this Ballet because this is very important… Djembe loves everybody. Djembe love woman, Djembe love man, Djembe love everything.
--Bolokada