Teacher Biographies
Iya Sako
IYA SAKO, born in the small farming village of Samakofadda, Wassalon region, Guinea, started playing dundun aged 9. Chosen at age 13 by Mamady Doumbouya, the village Djembe fola to continue the tradition, he soon became well known and respected for his profession.
By his late teens/early twenties, he was in demand as Djembe fola across the Wassalon region to play for traditional Malinke fetes. He then went on to drum for Solo Traore, renowned malinke Walla Walla (dancer/singer) for 14 years in Guinea and Mali.
He taught international students in Mali in 1999. He then went on to work and perform with world renowned Famoudou Konate in Conakry, Guinea, in 2004.