The word Bari means "health" in Bamana, and is also the name of the distinct drum which fills the bass end and forms the basis of much of the village music of this region. This recording of The Bari Ensemble shows them as they would be heard today, in the Segou Region of Mali, West Africa. The origins of the Bari are in the Southern Wassoulou Regions of the Old Malian Empire. The group regularly plays weddings, circumcisions, baptisms and other important ceremonies. When the head of the Bari drum breaks, it is fixed in the village cemetary. When it is finished, the drum is carried backwards by the musician out of the cemetary, so as not to turn his back on his ancestors. Although times change, the people of the Fouta Zambougou villages continue to survive mainly as they have for centuries --- from the rain.

We have tried to be as thorough as possible with the translation of this material. On many of the tracks on this album there are multiple songs sung on one rhythm. Click album image below for sample cuts from the album and more info.

Releases
The Bari Ensemble
2008