Imaginary Traditions

In 2025 I founded Imaginary Traditions, a non-profit web space that showcases artists of oral traditions from around the world, sharing live video takes of the wonderful artists encountered on his musical path.
All videos are filmed, mixed and produced by me.

Second release by Mohamed 'La Paix' Kane featuring his variation of Taara—a Mande classic we’ll also hear from Fatim and Fode in upcoming releases. At the time, 'La Paix' was ...navigating a full schedule of rehearsals with Safi Diabaté’s band, topped off with studio recordings. He confided that he was barely getting any sleep, but as I was about to leave and wanted to promote his music, I asked him to film a few pieces and he promptly accepted, giving us a beautiful glimpse into his art.

Mohamed Kane started playing at a very young age, mastering percussion such as the djembe and the dundun. Later—in an uncommon and particularly demanding shift—he was advised to take up the kora and started studied with the Diabate and Sissoko families. Despite his late start, he became a virtuoso of the instrument and has since collaborated with numerous artists, including Sidiki Diabaté, Safi Diabaté, Kandia Kouyaté, and Ballaké Sissoko, touring with them across Europe.

https://www.instagram.com/korrapen
https://www.facebook.com/mohamed.kane.393Show More

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Second release by Mohamed 'La Paix' Kane featuring his variation of Taara—a Mande classic we’ll also hear from Fatim and Fode in upcoming releases. At the time, 'La Paix' was ...navigating a full schedule of rehearsals with Safi Diabaté’s band, topped off with studio recordings. He confided that he was barely getting any sleep, but as I was about to leave and wanted to promote his music, I asked him to film a few pieces and he promptly accepted, giving us a beautiful glimpse into his art.

Mohamed Kane started playing at a very young age, mastering percussion such as the djembe and the dundun. Later—in an uncommon and particularly demanding shift—he was advised to take up the kora and started studied with the Diabate and Sissoko families. Despite his late start, he became a virtuoso of the instrument and has since collaborated with numerous artists, including Sidiki Diabaté, Safi Diabaté, Kandia Kouyaté, and Ballaké Sissoko, touring with them across Europe.

https://www.instagram.com/korrapen
https://www.facebook.com/mohamed.kane.393Show More

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"...when I was little, I used to go with my older brothers and sister during the holidays in Senegal. The group consisted of two koras and some sabar drums. Every ...time we performed, we closed the show with this song." said Fode after recording in the sunny living room of the historical Sissoko house. Wonderful kora by luthier Kaëlig.

Born in 1989 in Guinea-Bissau, of Senegalese origin and Malian nationality, Fode Karamba Seïdi is both a player and a builder of kora. He grew up in the prestigious griot family of master kora player Ballaké Sissoko (although Fode is not a griot himself). A member of the Ballaké Kora Orchestra, he also performs internationally and collaborates with the griotte Fatim Kouyaté.

🎵 Follow and support:
Instagram - / imaginary_traditions
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/share/1BqW2g...
Bandcamp - https://fodeseidy.bandcamp.com/

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“Playfulness doesn’t prevent serious work.”
That is the meaning of thie Bambara proverb "Tulon tɛ sɛbɛ sa".

One afternoon I was studying with Fodé under the trees when Fatime called us upstairs. ...The soku player Daouda Sissoko had arrived and she wanted to record this piece immediately on the terrace.

I had nothing with me except my phone, so I captured it as best I could. The wind was strong, but to my surprise the acoustic balance was incredibly beautiful. With some careful post-production, the piece can now reach your ears — and hopefully inspire your soul.

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Fatim Kouyaté
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/soratimfa?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063555701251

🎵 Imaginary Traditions:
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“Keme Bourema” has long held a place in my heart.
From Fula flute to Bako Dagnon, Sory Kandia, Madou Sidiki… I’ve studied many versions of this Mandé classic. I wanted to ...try to bring them together and offer my small contribution to this vast river (badjourou) of music.

Dedicated to all those who have taken time to shape my playing:
Jalikebba Kuyateh, who guided my first steps;
Jali Hammey Saho, who showed me passion and hard work;
Haruna Kuyateh, for insights into Malian-style phrasing;
Sanjally Jobarteh, for his huge koras and old-school strictness;
Kora Hero, for rooted pride and positive spirit;
Dialy Mady Cissoko, for simplicity and generosity;
Fodé Seidi, for modern and pristine sweetness;
Mohammed Kané, for his connection to pentatonic music;
Ballaké Sissoko, who is constantly reinventing his immense and detailed knowledge of the kora.

And to those whose recordings I have and will study forever:
Sékou Batourou Kouyaté, Alagi Mbye, Alhaji Bai Konte, Tata Dindin,
Dialy Mady’s father, Sidiki’s father, Toumani, Madou Sidiki, Mamadou and Boubacar Diabaté…
the list goes on and on.

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Bamako Sessions - episode 4
✨Mohamed "La Paix" Kane - Soamouyaya

I first saw Mohamed years ago, in a informal video on youtube, him and ballake playing togeher casually. His gentle yet ...smart smile and his fluidity on the kora had struck me already. I'd never thought I'd end up spending weeks learning from him in Bamako. He welcomed me like a brother and shared humbly everything he knew with me. This video is my gifts for you, dear "La Paix". Thank you again.

Mohamed Kane started playing at a very young age, mastering percussion such as the djembe and the dundun. Later—in an uncommon and particularly demanding shift—he was advised to take up the kora and started studied with the Diabate and Sissoko families. Despite his late start, he became a virtuoso of the instrument and has since collaborated with numerous artists, including Sidiki Diabaté, Safi Diabaté, Kandia Kouyaté, and Ballaké Sissoko, touring with them across Europe.

Find him on Facebook and Instagram:
https://www.facebook.com/mohamed.kane.3939
https://www.instagram.com/korrapen?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

Subscribe and stay tuned for the next chapters
https://www.instagram.com/imaginary_traditions/Show More

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⬇️⬇️ chapter 3 of Bamako Sessions✨💐

Douniya appeared very spontaneusly. I was working with Fodé Seydi in the Sissoko house when he suggested recording something with Fatim Kouyaté — griot, wonderful ...singer, wife of Ballaké. Less than five minutes later, we were ready to start!
Behind the camera, her newborn baby slept peacefully throughout the session, while we captured one of the very first musical memories of his life.

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Fatim Kouyaté
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/soratimfa?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063555701251

🎵 Imaginary Traditions:
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Second chapter of Bamako Sessions

Under the portico of the courtyard, with kids playing all around and food being prepared for the next shared meal, Fodé comes up with “N’Terì” — ...a modern sounding, sweet and entrancing, almost childish theme dedicated to all his friends.

Born in 1989 in Guinea-Bissau, of Senegalese origin and Malian nationality, Fode Karamba Seïdi is both a player and a builder of kora. He grew up in the prestigious griot family of master kora player Ballaké Sissoko (although Fode is not a griot himself). A member of the Ballaké Kora Orchestra, he also performs internationally and collaborates with the griotte Fatim Kouyaté.

🎵 Follow and support:
Instagram - / imaginary_traditions
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/share/1BqW2g...
Bandcamp - https://fodeseidy.bandcamp.com/

👉 like, subscribe, and stay tuned for the next releases !Show More

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👉 support the artist on Bandcamp https://fodeseidy.bandcamp.com/

While setting up for a recording day, we suddenly realize we were standing right in our first location: the historic rehearsal salon of maison ...Sissoko. It ended up being one of our most focused pieces.

Fode's son Moussa is in the video too, sitting quietly, watching his father, perhaps dreaming of playing like him one day. Moussa and I had bonded in the past days, he loved learning kora with me... me teaching Fode’s son, what a funny twist ! His kind presence adds a beautiful sweetness to this piece.

I hope you all enjoy it.

Born in 1989 in Guinea-Bissau, of Senegalese origin and Malian nationality, Fode Karamba Seïdi is both a player and a builder of kora. He grew up in the prestigious griot family of master kora player Ballaké Sissoko (although Fode is not a griot himself). A member of the Ballaké Kora Orchestra, he also performs internationally and collaborates with the griotte Fatim Kouyaté.

🎵 Follow and support:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/imaginary_traditions/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/share/1BqW2gEcau/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Bandcamp - https://fodeseidy.bandcamp.com/

👉 like, subscribe, and stay tuned for the next releases !Show More

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On their debut single 'A Shared Shrine' the duo Ludo & Riju rework the Mandé song 'Kedo', pairing it to Raga Bhimpalasi (and a touch of Yaman if one considers ...the harmonic movement).

Kedo is a West-Arican piece that tells of the horrors of the war between Mandinka and Fulani tribes, urging people to live in peace and communion. Raga Bhimpalasi is a popular afternoon Hindustani Raga known for evoking a sense of longing and peaceful devotion in the listener.

The title 'A Shared Shrine' refers to the many Hindus and Muslims that used to share daily praying spaces in India. The practice is now endangered by a political push towards segregation and intolerance. This project aims at promoting peace and collaboration between religions and cultures.

Ludo & Riju represent a unique encounter: the polyrhythmic, polyphonic tradition of the Mande Kora of Ludovico Failla meets the sophisticated melodic world of indian classical mandolinist Rajarshi Sengupta. The two worlds combine gently, setting up a whole range of new musical interactions.

BANDCAMP: https://imatrad.bandcamp.com/track/a-shared-shrine
More about us: https://www.ludovicofailla.com/ludo-riju/

Recorded live in Sonarpur, West-Bengal, India // February 2026

camera by Saikat Sarkar
recording and mixing by Ludovico Failla
mastering by François FanelliShow More