Rokia Kouyate

Rokia, mother, father and grandfather

Rokia Kouyate with mother, father and grandfather


Rokia is the granddaughter of Kasse Mady Diabate,  one of Mali’s most treasured Mande griot voices. Kasse Mady hails from a famous lineage of Diabates from Kela, a village 106 kms west of Bamako, well known for its centuries’-old oral epic traditions, and considered great authorities on Mande history. Rokia’s mother, Aoua Kasse Mady, is one of the finest young female singers of Mali, and Rokia’s father is Demba Kouyate, ngoni player and guitarist. The family lives in Bamako but maintains close connections with Kela. Rokia has also been a participant in the Mali-Cuba project: see Mali-Cuba.com


Rokia Kouyate with mother Aoua

Rokia Kouyate with mother Aoua



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© Lucy Durán, Nicolas Magriel, Geoff Baker 2011