Papa Susso
Papa Susso was born, 1947, Sotuma Sere, way up river in Gambia. His father was jelikuntigi; back in the 10th century AD, it was the Susso family that was given the gift of the Kora, the 21-string harp-lyre, that is the iconic instrument of the West African griots. Papa was working as an economist for the Gambian government, when he saw that the traditions he had learned as a youth (he began playing kora at 4 years old) were dying out, and he returned to the life of the itinerant poet/musician, keeper of the oral tradition, genealogist, and epicist. He has worked with symphonies and rock groups, he’s released four CDs, and his next recording project is Tamoroh: the Lost Tradition, songs that Papa believes he is the last to know.
How Kora Was Born
as sung by Papa Susso to Bob HolmanThis story begins long long long long ago / So long ago that it was a place not a time / There was a man / He was so alone / The only person he could talk to was Africa
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