Sofa
is a very old Malinke Rhythm that, according to some, takes you back to the time
period in which warriors (in Malinke "Sofa") road horses. These warriors
had large plate-shape drums (tavela ), that were also used for the sending of
messages. When Sofa was played, the horses with their warriors "danced"
on the rhythm Sofa was also played when a great warrior or hunter in the village
passed away (from: Famoudou Konaté; Rhythmen der Malinke).
The rhythm was played for the warriors on horseback. It was supposed to support the brave and strong men who went to combat, as well as a praise them for their succes and bravery when they came back. In the old days it was accompanied by a Bolon, a string instrument. The Bolon was played by "Griots des Guerre" (war - griots) who knew the story, the song and the praise of the war and warriors since generations.( Uschi Billmeier/Mamady Keïta: A Life for the Djembé).
Other sources mention the another meaning for Sofa: it was played in honour of the king.
The rhythm was played for the warriors on horseback. It was supposed to support the brave and strong men who went to combat, as well as a praise them for their succes and bravery when they came back. In the old days it was accompanied by a Bolon, a string instrument. The Bolon was played by "Griots des Guerre" (war - griots) who knew the story, the song and the praise of the war and warriors since generations.( Uschi Billmeier/Mamady Keïta: A Life for the Djembé).
Other sources mention the another meaning for Sofa: it was played in honour of the king.
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