Ba Issa Diallo

Choreographer and dancer Ba Issa Diallo heads up the long-standing Ballet du district de Bamako. Founded over four decades ago, the Ballet is one of Mali’s three leading companies. Its repertoire of around thirty pieces, combining dance, song, theatre and music, is not solely based on conserving but also developing Malian cultural traditions. Its performers include both dancers and musicians, who come together to present a powerful combination of live percussion and movement. Well known artists, including Oumou Sangaré and Séga Sidibé have performed with the Ballet du district de Bamako. Makan Koné is its artistic director and the originator of most of the company’s works.