DUNMORE, Pa. — Penn State Scranton will kick off its celebration of Black History Month with an extraordinary performance by the Great Gambian Griots, a renowned musical group from Kora Music, on Monday, Feb. 5, at noon in The View Café.
The Great Gambian Griots, led by cousins Jali Bakary Konteh and Mafu Conteh, are part of a lineage of Mandinka musicians known as griots — hereditary oral historians who have passed down their craft for generations. They perform on traditional instruments such as the kora, a 21-stringed harp made from calabash, the balafon, a wooden xylophone and the talking drum.
The group’s music interweaves storytelling, rap-like rhythms, and ancient proverbs, offering audiences a glimpse into centuries-old West African traditions. Their performances highlight the connection between African music and global genres like blues, jazz and gospel — an influence celebrated by artists such as Pete Seeger and Taj Mahal.
This event will provide an opportunity for the campus community to experience the vibrant rhythms and melodies of West Africa. The Great Gambian Griots also offer workshops on creating music with traditional instruments and studying Mandinka history and culture.
Attendees will witness a cultural legacy that dates back to the 1970s when Alhaji Bai Konte, Bakary Konteh’s grandfather, introduced the kora to North American audiences. Today, the family continues this tradition by ensuring that their heritage thrives for future generations.
For more information, visit Penn State Scranton’s Student Leadership and Involvement office. Penn State Scranton is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion by fostering a welcoming campus environment all administrators, faculty, staff, students and visitors.