Help Preserve Traditional Dance and Music in Mali

Dear Kono Gnaga friends and family,

Just a quick update to let you know that Kono Gnaga continues to push forward with our work in Mali thanks to your help!  We had a very successful 6th annual festival at the beginning of the year that featured all of our 6 partner schools.  Classes took place in the schools for three months with the annual community festival happening early in 2024. Each year the festival location rotates with a new neighborhood hosting this festival - Niamcoro was selected to host this year which brought much excitement to everyone in the local school and neighborhood!  Attendance was higher than ever this year.  

Every year, over 80% of the participants in our programs are girls, without us having to carry out any targeted awareness-raising. Few other similar activity attracts so many girls. Because of this interest, this year we established a specific partnership with a girls' school and ensured that the school's instructor was a woman. Our programs offer girls activities that contribute to their empowerment and personal development. Our programs also enhance artists' professionalism and teaching skills, as well as their earning potential, by providing them with an income. It is essential that this work includes women and helps to promote gender equality in the professional artistic arena. 

We have also launched our pilot program expanding out of Bamako into the Segou region of Mali.  Their community festival will be held in the coming months and we will be sure to share an update with you.  Continue to follow us on social media for more immediate updates.

As always thank you so much for your vital and continued support and being a valued member of the Kono Gnaga family!

Please be sure to check out the link to this year's video featuring fesival highlights!  2024 Dou Ba Festival

Peace and Blessings,

Solo Sana

*Many thanks to Ketnu Nefer for the photos!