Biography
Mory Sako, known by his friends and family as Iya was born into a farming family in the small village of Samakofadda. Samakofadda is in the Wassalon region of Upper Guinea, West Africa, and is approximately 25kms from the Mali border. Iya is Malinké, one of the many different tribes of Guinea. Malinké people use a rich variety of traditional instruments and rhythms to celebrate special occasions and accompany everyday events such as farming the land. The rhythms of the Wassalon region are influenced by its proximity to the Mali border.
At around age nine, Iya started to play dundun for the farmers in the fields with Mamady Doumbouya, the village djembe fola, and his year group. After four years he was chosen to continue the tradition of djembe fola and in line with respectful tradition his year group approached his parents to ask permission for him to do so. With the support of his whole family and other villagers he went on to become a renowned djembe fola across the Siguiri and Wassalon regions, and much in demand for traditional Malinké fêtes.
He subsequently worked with renowned Malinké Walla Walla (traditional male dancer/singer) Solo Traoré in Guinea and Mali, and taught his first international students in Mali in 1999.
In 2004 Iya made his way to the capital of Guinea, Conakry, and was introduced to Famoudou Konaté. Iya worked with Famoudou supporting classes for international students and performed with Famoudou’s group Hamana Diada until he moved to the UK in 2007.
His group Fankabah in Guinea have performed for international djembe fola Mamady Keita and his students at Mamady’s compound in Conakry in December 2006/January 2007.
Iya performed with Famoudou Konaté and Nansady Keita in the UK at African Drum Village in August 2007 during Famoudou’s second visit to the UK.
