Bernard Diedhiou - Akonting player, West Africa, Music of Senegal

Bernard Diedhiou is a Jola akonting player from the Kognout region of Casamance, who lives with his family in Saly, Senegal. Here we meet with him in the neighbouring town of Somone, where he played songs for us both solo and along with his group “Kadjamour”. In his interview he discusses the difficulties, his love and passion, for being and artist. Brought over during the slave trade, the akonting continued to evolve and eventually became what we know now as the American banjo, it is still the only group of instruments that use the clawhammer (or frailing) method of plucking. Recorded April 17th, 2019 in Somone, Senegal.

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CREDITS
Directed by Nick Jennings
Produced by Nick Jennings
Photography: Andrew Pritchard, Nick Jennings
Audio: Oryan Peterson-Jones
Mastering: Nick Jennings
Location Managers: Fallou Kandji, Batoura Diassy
Translation: Badara Ndiaye, Bacar Gueye

In partnership with BPBS Arts & Media
A very special thank you to our GoFundMe supporters!