Malika

We began the business in 1988, based in Senegal.  We began by selling children's clothes and African cloth. From there, we have been slowly expanding and have travelled to Mali and Burkina Faso buying jewellery and hand woven textiles.

We were one of the pioneers to bring Djembe drums to the UK in 1989 and we still repair drums to a high professional quality as well as supplying educational projects with instruments. We ran a traditional Music School in Senegal from 1997-2001, which gave many musicians the chance to travel and work in the UK and brought traditional Senegalese music to the forefront of the festival circuit

We sell mainly at World Music Festivals and Fair Trade events. (see Festival Listings for our most recent summer calendar) We started our musical events in Kersey, Suffolk 7 years ago, with a view to encouraging and enabling musicians from West Africa to perform and teach their vibrant rhythm and dance to rural areas.

Our 1st year began as a result of bringing over two of the teachers from the music school we were operating in Senegal. (Karamba Experience) They taught drumming using the Sabar, Djembe and Doundoun. It began as a day event, and by popular request has become a week-end experience now including dance & drumming, for adults &cChildren . This year we are introducing Kora and song.

For the last 2 years we have hosted a concert in the Kersey Village Hall to open the week-end and give people a taste of the music that will be on offer.

We are committed to continuing to help support musicians from West Africa to gain experience in this country. Many people have found that by coming to these work shops they release the stress of every day life we so often encounter here in Europe.  rhythm and dance to rural areas.