Toumani Diabaté: A Year After His Passing, the Kora Legend Lives On
Mali’s Musical Icon Honored with Emotional Tributes and New Album
Bamako, Mali – One year after the world lost one of its greatest musical treasures, the legacy of Toumani Diabaté continues to resonate across continents. The Malian kora virtuoso, who passed away on July 19, 2024 at age 58, was commemorated last Sunday (July 20, 2025) with a moving memorial ceremony in N’Tominkorobougou, the ancestral home of the Diabaté griot family.
A Family and Musical Community United in Remembrance
The commemorative events brought together generations of artists and admirers at the family compound of Sidiki Diabaté, Toumani’s late father and himself a legendary kora master. The ceremony featured Quranic recitations and a zihara (traditional prayer offering) at Hamdallaye Cemetery, where the maestro was laid to rest.
Among the attendees were prominent musicians who had collaborated with Diabaté throughout his groundbreaking career that blended ancient Manding traditions with global musical innovations. His influence spanned genres from traditional West African music to cross-cultural collaborations with artists like Björk, Damon Albarn, and Taj Mahal.
“Lamomali Totem”: A Musical Tribute to the Master
The artistic community honored Diabaté’s memory with the release of Lamomali Totem, a new album by the collective that had previously worked with him on the acclaimed Lamomali Airlines project in 2017. French musician Matthieu Chedid (known as “M”) led the tribute alongside Malian stars Fatoumata Diawara, Sidiki Diabaté (Toumani’s son), and Balla Diabaté.
“This isn’t a restart—Lamomali’s resonance never truly stopped. It’s a continuation,” Chedid told Swiss media outlet 24heures.ch. “The album reflects his soul. The kora, with its calabash touching the earth while its neck reaches skyward, symbolizes those eternal moments we shared with Toumani.”
The project incorporates Diabaté’s final recordings, creating what Chedid describes as “a celebration rather than a mourning.” Young talents like Cameroonian-French artist Yamê and Belgian-Cameroonian musician Lubiana joined the collective, ensuring the transmission of Diabaté’s legacy to new generations.
The Unmatched Legacy of a Kora King
Born into a 71-generation lineage of griot musicians, Toumani Diabaté revolutionized the 21-stringed harp-lute, earning global recognition as its undisputed master. His 1987 solo album Kaira marked the first-ever solo kora recording, while later works like New Ancient Strings (1999) and collaborations with Ali Farka Touré brought Malian music to unprecedented international acclaim.
Diabaté’s technical brilliance—playing the complex instrument without picks while improvising intricate melodies—combined with his deep knowledge of oral histories made him a living bridge between centuries-old traditions and contemporary global music.
A Cultural Beacon for Mali and Beyond
Beyond his musical genius, Diabaté served as a cultural ambassador during Mali’s turbulent times, using his art to promote peace. His Bamako hotel, Mandé, became a hub for cultural exchange, while his Symmetric Orchestra showcased West Africa’s rich musical diversity.
As Mali and the world reflect on his legacy a year after his passing, institutions are establishing programs to preserve his innovations. The Toumani Diabaté Foundation, launched by his family, aims to support young kora players and safeguard the instrument’s traditions.
“Whether physically present or in spirit, we feel him,” Chedid remarked—a sentiment echoing through the global music community that continues to be inspired by Diabaté’s timeless artistry.
Originally reported by Moussa Bolly for Le Matin. Read the full article (in French).