Abdoulie Kande & Sarjo Baldeh - Musa Molo

Abdoulie Kandé and Sarjo Baldeh are Fulbé musicians and I recorded this song in Mr Baldeh’s compound in Brikama Ba in The Gambia in 1997. “Musa Molo” (also spelt “Moussa Molo”) is dedicated to the 19th century Fulbé ruler whose territories covered large swathes of The Gambia. It forms part of the epic narrative oral traditions that are widespread in West Africa, with the Manden griots being their most well-known exponent. Other cultures, however, have “griots” too, such as the Fulbé, who know them as gawlo. Abdoulie Kandé’s narrative explores the life of Musa Molo, who united the Fulbé in the region. Sarjo Baldeh provides accompaniment on the molo, a one-string plucked lute.