Yacouba Sissoko

Yacouba Sissoko was born in Kita, Mali to a well known family of musicians. For centuries, jelis—also called griots in French—have been the musical storytellers in West Africa, respected as keepers of history, interpreters of current events, advisers to rulers, and connectors of social groups and families. Yacouba Sissoko was born in Kita, Mali to a well known jeli family; his grandparents, mother, siblings, and many of his cousins are all jelis.