Zoumana Dembele

One of the greatest current djembéfolas, Zoumana also plays the tamani (armpit drum) and the n’goni (hunters’ kora). His griot heritage is reflected in the magnificent songs he sings while accompanying himself on the dosso n’goni. He has distinguished himself in numerous projects, notably the group Foofango with Pierre Vaiana and the Landaya ensemble which he has directed since 1990. He has played with numerous musicians and percussionists including a meeting with Mamady Keïta at the Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie in Brussels.

A true virtuoso, he is unanimously acclaimed and his charismatic presence makes him noticed wherever he performs. He is the subject of a noted film “DJELI ON VERI / IN THE BLOOD, PORTRAIT OF A GRIOT” by Aleksi Oksanen & Jari Järvi (Finland).

Born in 1975 in Bobo-Dioulasso, griot and son of the late Bwaba and Fulani griot Khalifa Dembele, known as Sambo, great violinist. Zoumana started at a very young age with his dad whom he accompanied on the calabash. From a young age, he learned the djembe and the musical traditions that coexist in Bobo-Dioulasso.

He played in many Bobo groups mainly “LONI” and “AVENIR”. Founded with his brothers the group “LANDAYA” which stood out in 1990 and won the Grand Prix of the National Culture Week in 1998. He won numerous international prizes and is considered one of the greatest djembéfolas today. He still plays today in many social occasions such as baptisms, weddings in Bobo Dioulasso and Burkina Faso. Zoumana regularly runs djembe and percussion workshops in Belgium, Finland and France, and he also organizes courses in Bobo-Dioulasso.