Musée Griot.
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Musée Griot. *
griot and griotte museum to Tambacounda - Senegal
a representation of narrative, genealogy, art in all its forms
Presentation of the project
The Musée Griot.te.s is a project to build a museum in Tambacounda, Senegal. It's a project to structure stories and languages - ‘a first in Senegal and Africa’. It's a place where young people can discuss art, share experiences, receive training, find employment and develop their potential, particularly in Tambacounda. It's an extraordinary project that will house a Griot Museum, a local art school, the Tamba School of Art, and a young talent festival (art and sport). A green space, three guest rooms for temporary accommodation for residents and a home studio for traditional and modern music.
The museum has been under construction since June 2023 and is due to open in December 2026. The aim is to promote the transmission and intangible heritage of griot culture in Senegal and West Africa, and to think about and co-construct the oral practices that will make up the griots of the future. It's a place for exhibitions, showcases, training and dialogue for young people, combining tradition, modernity and innovation.
History of the project:
In 2021, with the support of the Tambacounda City Council and through the Prefect of Tambacounda Mame Less CABOU, (supporter and sponsor of Free label), the Minister of Finance and Budget, granted a Land of 400 m² for the construction of the Griot Museum of Senegal in Tambacounda. The land is located in the new Lot, district: Parcelle Assainie 2 de Tambacounda - in the heart of the city of Tambacoundoise, just behind the Tambacounda fire station (left).
3 December 2023:
Bocar Niang, artist and president of the Free Label association, invited his friends, colleagues and allies from France to Senegal to attend the ceremony to lay the foundation stone. It was a joyous moment of remembrance, celebrated in Tambacounda and attended by artists and griottes from the sub-region (Mauritania, Gambia and Mali). The prefecture, town hall and departmental council of Tambacounda also attended the event.
Museum construction in progress
Resources :
The project is supported by the State of Senegal, land owned by the State of Senegal.
Support for the building structure: Belonging Foundation
Financial contribution from the supporting artist Bocar NIANG (SALE OF WORKS)
The Curator Kathy Alliou has been appointed by the Board of Directors to curate the inaugural exhibition, from 3 December 2026 to 28 February 2027.
TAMBACOUNDA IN WORDS AND FIGURES
History
Tambacounda: town in Senegal - SOUTH-EAST of Dakar
A true cultural melting pot, Tambacounda is considered to be the ‘great crossroads’ of Senegal, bordering Mali, Mauritania, Guinea Conakry and Gambia. This geographical location is a strategic meeting point for peoples and cultures.
However, the city's young people lack a stable artistic and cultural structure/programme/education. Not everyone can afford to live, study or receive training in Dakar, so this project was born with the aim of decentralising vocational training in the arts and culture.
The action aims to contribute to the emergence of the region, as well as being a label for skills in Senegal and Africa.
Free label, since its creation in 2008, implementing cultural and tourist events of national and international scope through: (training courses, exhibitions, residencies for foreign artists, festivals, film productions, support for young talent, etc).
- Population: 812,075
- Surface area: 59,602 km2
- Percentage of young people: 300,356 aged between 18 and 35, i.e. almost 30% (source: national statistics agency).
The Tambacounda Griot Museum team
Members of the Board of Directors
Mr Oumar Niang, Chairman of the Board of Directors
Flora Sandrine Gnalla, griot
Mr Gora Diouf, Professor, University of Dakar
Oumar Sall, Senegalese art critic
Emmanuel Nassakan, municipal councillor, Tambacounda town council
Ms Fatou Diaby, member of the Tamba art school team
Kathy Alliou, exhibition curator, Paris
Amélie Mourgue d'Algue, artist-researcher
Virginie Lyobard, director of the association chantier public, Poitiers
Direction :
Mr Bocar Niang, artist and president and founder of the Musée Griot
Mr séga Niane, executive director of the musée griot
Mr Aliou Niang, general secretary, treasurer and accountant
Ms Maquette Ndao, in charge of the griot museum's collections
Ms Salimata Diop, project manager
Mr Sada Niang, communications officer
Mr Salif Diarra, production manager