Bwazan

Founded in 2006 by renowned percussionist, Bassidi Koné, Bwazan ('Bobo children' in the Bobo and Bwa language), are a percussion and dance troupe from the circle of San, in the Segou region in Mali. The majority of the group are from the same family line of griots, who grew up together beside the instruments of their elders. From a young age, the group were initiated into the study of instruments, songs, and rhythm scores in their pure tradition.

Bwazan present songs, rhythms, and dances from Bobo and Bamanan origins, which are accompanied by their traditional instruments, including the balafon (West African xylophone), the doun doun and djembe (hand drums), the yabara, and the barra (calabash drum), kamalan n'goni (stringed harp), and kora.

Today, Bwazan have revisied and innovated their own arrangements and instrumentation, the sound of their elders and ancestors with the greatest respect, upholding their musical heritage and livelihood by promoting and preserving the identity, spirituality and cultural richness of their Bo ethnicity. They are a delight musically and take their audiences on a cultural journey, performing their uplifting music with great professionalism, soul, enthusiasm and joy. Complex movements, precision, and harmony, combined with energetic dances, describe this ensemble of talented, young artists, who maintain the traditions of village masters.

Bwazan participate in national and international festivals throughout Africa. They are ambassadors of their musical heritage and promote a message of peace, humility, freedom, and solidarity.