African Strings

African Strings is an album showcasing the richness and diversity of stringed instruments spanning five countries on the continent. These range from traditional instruments that have been played and preserved for centuries, to modern electric guitar sounds that are unique to the Sahara Desert. All of these recordings were carried out at PFCF music programs, with the participation of our local teams, students, teachers, and friends.

Discover the authentic sounds of the guembri (Morocco), kora (Mali), jinjelin and gonje (Ghana), adungu (Northern Uganda and South Sudan), inanga (Rwanda), and the Tuareg guitar style born in the Sahara Desert and performed by youth from the M’bera Refugee Camp in Mauritania, who visited and recorded at our PFCF program in Morocco. The album is available on all major music platforms and on this page—created to celebrate and promote Africa’s rich cultural diversity.

Credits

1- Kenda – Yamora: United Adungu Group, Uganda

An original song by the United Adungu Group, a musical group formed by South Sudanese Refugees living in the Bidibidir refugee settlement in Uganda.

2- Baba Bodarbala: Gnawa Ait Faraji, Morocco

Azeddine Ait Faraji (Guembri, lead vocals)
Elmokhtar Ait Faraji (Vocals, Krakesh)
Ahmed Ait Faraji (Vocals, Krakesh)
Mamone Ait faraji (Vocals, Krakesh)
Mohamed Faraji (Vocals, Krakesh)
Nabil El Masmoudi (Vocals, Krakesh)
Noreddin Nanaya (Vocals, Krakesh)

3- Kelai Masa: N’Faly Kouyaté, Boubacar Gouem, Mali

N’Faly Kouyaté (Kora)
Boubacar Gouem. (Kora)

4- Ihorere Mwana Wlbuhoro: Janvier Nsanzamahoro, Rwanda

Janvier Nsanzamahoro (Inanga & Vocals),
Niyonkuru Aman (Vocals),
Uwimana Gatoya Christian (Vocals)

5- Dunia Taali: Fuseini Mohammed & Ahmed Abdul Samed, Ghana

Fuseini Mohammed (Jinjelin)
Ahmed Abdul Samed: (Vocals,Gonje)
Tia Fuseini Inusah (Bell)
Kashim Fuseini (Talking Drum)
Aisha Iddrisu: (Vocals)
Mohammed Alidu: (Kpalogo)

6- Anizdioumine: Assouf N’Dawna, Morocco

Ahmadou Ag Mohamed Aly
Aly Ag Mohamed
Mohamed Aly Ag Mohamed
Hicham Al Hamou Issi
Youssef L’Gdih

Produced by Playing For Change Foundation

Mix & Master by Chudy Sound

Playing For Change Foundation presents:

AFRICAN STRINGS

1- Kenda – Yamora: United Adungu Group, Uganda

2- Baba Bodarbala: Gnawa Ait Faraji, Morocco

3- Kelai Masa: N’Faly Kouyaté, Boubacar Gouem, Mali

4- Ihorere Mwana W’Ibuhoro: Janvier Nsanzamahoro, Rwanda

5-  Dunia Taali: Fuseini Mohammed & Ahmed Abdul Samed, Ghana

6- Anizdioumine: Assouf N’Dawna, Morocco

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Explore roots music from 5 african countries

Morocco

Mali

Ghana

Uganda

Rwanda

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Kelai Massa

Boubacar Gouem & Nfaly Kouyaté – Mali

 

Kelai Massa is a traditional Malian song referring to the “King of War,” interpreted by two music students from Ecole de Musique de Kirina on the kora and recorded live in Bamako.

Listen on Spotify

Kenda – Yamora

United Adungu group – Uganda

adungu

Dunia Taali is a song composed by Fuseini Mohammed featuring several unique traditional instruments from Northern Ghana including the Jinjelin, a one string bow instrument as well as the Gonge, a traditional violin.

Listen on Spotify

Ihorere Mwana w’Ibuhoro

Janvier Nsanzamahoro & friends – Rwanda

 

Ihorere Mwana W’Ibuhoro is a beautiful example of Gakondo, Rwanda’s traditional music style, characterized by the use of the inanga (traditional stringed instrument) and vocal harmonies.

Listen on Spotify

Dunia Taali

Fuseini Mohammed & friends – Ghana

ghana strings

Dunia Taali is a song composed by Fuseini Mohammed featuring several unique traditional instruments from Northern Ghana including the Jinjelin, a one string bow instrument as well as the Gonge, a traditional violin from the Dagomba people.


Listen on Spotify

Recordings in Morocco

M’Hamid El Ghizlane

Baba Bodarbala

Gnawa Ait Faraji is a traditional gnawa band from southern Morocco led by vocalist and guembri player Azeddine Ait Faraji

Listen on Spotify

Anizdioumine

Assouf N’dawna is a youth band from northern Mali currently residing in the M’bera Refugee Camp in Mauritania who performed in 2024 at the Zamane Festival in M’Hamid.

Listen on Spotify

These 2 recordings took place in M’Hamid El Ghizlane, home of the
Joudour Sahara Music Program