Mali’s traditional instruments, such as the ngoni and the bamboo flute, are threatened by modernization and a lack of transmission. Their disappearance would risk erasing an important part of Malian cultural identity.
Malian culture, rich in history and traditions, is threatened by a worrying phenomenon: the gradual disappearance of its ancestral musical instruments. Among them, the three-stringed ngoni and the bamboo flute occupy an emblematic place. But what do these instruments really symbolize, and why is their future in danger today?
The ngoni: an ancestral guitar at the heart of West African traditions
The ngoni, often nicknamed the “traditional West African guitar,” is a lute instrument that has been used for centuries. With its plucked strings and its solid wood resonance box covered with skin, this instrument is the soul of Griotic music, transmitting the stories, epics and oral traditions of Malian ethnic groups.
Coming from the ancient n’donso ngoni, played by the hunters of secret brotherhoods, the kamalen ngoni (“youth guitar”) helped to democratize this musical art. Its manufacturing, like its mastery, is anchored in family practices passed down from generation to generation. But today, this transmission is being put to the test.
The bamboo flute: a breath of tradition that is dying out
Another musical gem, the bamboo flute, although less known internationally, embodies the purity and authenticity of traditional Malian music. It accompanies songs and dances in many villages, its sound evoking the stories of ancestors and spiritual rituals.
However, like the ngoni, the flute suffers from a cruel lack of succession. Flute players today master themselves with the fingers of one hand, and their know-how, often transmitted only within the family, struggles to maintain itself in the face of the grandiose attraction for modern music.
Why are these instruments disappearing?
Three main factors explain this alarming situation. Unlike modern instruments taught in music schools, traditional instruments such as the ngoni and the flute depend mainly on family learning. With modernization and the rural exodus, many families abandon these cultural practices.
Furthermore, no school or academic program promotes the learning of these instruments. Malian music schools focus more on Western instruments, leaving local cultural treasures in the shadows.
Finally, the growing popularity of guitars, pianos and other Western instruments often relegates traditional instruments to the background, perceived as “old-fashioned” by younger generations.
Initiatives to save this musical heritage
Faced with this cultural emergency, certain voices are being raised to preserve these unique instruments. Musicians like Pédro Kouyaté, a recognized Malian griot, actively campaign for their transmission and promotion. For example, the more accessible Kamalen ngoni is today played during concerts and workshops in Bamako, reviving young people’s interest in this musical tradition.
In addition, local projects wish to integrate these instruments into educational programs, making children aware of their cultural and historical importance. Traditional festivals, although still modest, also play a crucial role in restoring visibility and prestige to these musical treasures.
A heritage to be protected for future generations
The three-stringed ngoni and the bamboo flute are not simple musical instruments: they are the guardians of a collective memory and a unique cultural identity. Their disappearance would constitute an inestimable loss for Mali and for all of humanity.
It is urgent that authorities, educators and artists come together to revive these endangered traditions. Because if these instruments were subsequently extinguished, it was a part of the Malian soul that would disappear with them.
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