Guinea Part 3 - 21 Mar 08 to 28 Mar 08

I made my way from Dakar back to Conakry for one final week of study there. It was a great final opportunity to be involved in Guinea's rich musical tradition and complete my program of study that I started back in December.

The day after I arrived Sekou took me with him to play for a wedding on the outskirts of Conakry. Here we are playing for dancers.

More playing for dancers at the wedding. The tray on the ground is where they put tips after they have danced their solo.

We videotaped all of my lessons on the last day. Here is the set.

These kids were hanging out while we were videoing, going through the trash looking for anything useful.

The crew.

My lessons in the afternoon were generally held at the outdoor spot pictured above. However, in the morning we usually played at the Gbessia Youth Center, home to a couple of ballets, including Ballet Saamato, and numerous local groups practicing everything from acrobatics shows to breakdancing. Below are a few shots of the Gbessia Youth Center and the murals adorning its walls.

Sekou and friend hanging out.

Some drummers getting ready for ballet practice at the youth center.

Here is a picture of an old-school clothes iron that uses charcoal instead of being plugged in.

Around the Gbessia Youth Center.

Fara's Mom.

That's it for this trip to Guinea. Please check out my earlier posts for more on my time in the country. After my last week there was over, I continued on to Abidjan, Ivory Coast.