Lost Kingdom Revived Through Griot Songs and Recent Archaeological Excavation

abu his whole life. “This city [Kansala] was the Apple Computer of the time,” he says. “It was a cosmopolitan and huge city.” While the city he sings about is now ruins, the archaeological dig is bringing it back to life. “It’s Africa’s story,” says Canós-Donnay. “It shows we’re not just piles of rocks. We have an amazing, beautiful heritage.” And now that heritage is being told through the ancient songs of griots, connecting the present to the past in a melody of rediscovery. “We have to move our culture forward,” says Galissa. “But we can’t forget who we are and where we come from.” So as the dust settles and the stones of Kansala’s past are revealed, the kingdom of Kaabu and its griots are once again coming to life, a rich and vibrant tale resurrected by the ancient lyrics of storytellers keeping history alive through song and legend.