BWAZAN, which means “Bobo children” in the Bwa or Bobo Language, is a band that formed in 2006 by the young, versatile percussionist, BASSIDI KONE (now 25 years of age). Bwazan is composed of ten young artists who dance, sing and play the djeme and dun dun (West African drums), balafon (African Xylophone), yabara (calabash), kamalan n’goni (West African harp/lute) and n’taman (small African or ‘talking’ drum). The group is headed by BASSIDI KONE, a well renown, professional drummer who tours with a number of prominent musicians and singers such as Grammy Award winner, Bassekou Kouyate, Nainy Diabate, Mah Kouyate No 1, Nafi Diabate and Madjare Drame throughout Mali, Burkina Faso, Senegal and Mauritania. Among many festival performances, Group Bwazan has won recognition in best young talent, best percussion and balafon categories at the International Rail Festival in Kayes, the International Percussion Festival of Bamako, Festival du Niger in Segou as well as International Festival of Ouagadougou in Burkina Faso. Bwazan rehearse at La Maison des Jeunes (The Youth Club) of Bamako and regularly perform their traditional rhythms, song and dance at baptisms, weddings, galas and receptions.