Tambacounda Region
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Tambacounda is a crossroads in West Africa. It is a major train stop between Dakar, Senegal and Bamako, Mali. It is a predominantly Bamana town in Senegal in an area that used to be part of the Mali Empire before the borders were created to separate Mali from Senegal. Tambacounda is famous for its rich djembe and dance culture and heritage. Some of the greatest djembe masters from Segu, Mali came to Tambacounda in the mid 1900's. They brought their knowledge, history and secrets to Tambacounda. That knowledge of djembe history was transmitted directly to Abdouli Diakite through his teacher Suncaru Jara. Suncaru Jara's teacher was Chebleni Traore. Chebleni's teacher was Numuni Traore- the first djembe master to bring the djembe out from Bamana secrecy in order to begin the diaspora of the djembe. There were too many masters in Tamba at that time pressuring some to move on to different towns or countries. Thus the diaspora of the djembe took place. Abdouli Diakite was fortunate enough to have a chance to study with these legends of the djembe, particularly Suncaru Jara and Dugufana Traore.
Since Tambacounda was a major train stop it became a djembe "proving ground". One never knew who might be passing through. This kept the local djembe players on their toes to play exactly as the tradition dictated. The djembe in Tambacounda was remarkable and still is to this day. It truly is a heartland of djembe and dance. In Tambacounda the djembe playing has remained traditional in the face of globalization.