Yoro Sidibe

Yoro Sidibé is from Bambala, in the district of Sikorolen in Mali.

The n'gonifola (n'goni player) is the confidant of the donso as well as the animator of the of the donsos' relaxation times when they are back from hunting, sometime relating to people the bravery, the difficulties and the ordeals they had.

After 32 years of work, this singular donso n'goni player, with his bewitching voice, has already published about 20 albums.

Yoro Sidibé, who has taught about 15 donso n'goni players, draws his inspiration from his hunting parties and through the behavior of games.

"The difference between me and the other donso n'goni players at this level: To be a good singer, we must first of all be a real donso in order to know the secrets of the profession..

"The donsoya is an African tradition. The power of all the chiefs in Africa was in the hand of the donsos and they were often donso," he said. "In Mali, all the villages were created by donsos." —Courtesy Calabash Music