Friday night we went to the French-Niger Cultural Center (link) to see Malam Maman Barka, a wonderful Nigerien musician. Maman Barka is the last (or one of the last) players of the biram, an instrument from the shores of Lake Chad in far eastern Niger. The biram was an instrument important to the fishing communities in Lake Chad, but has declined in popularity in recent years. Maman Barka traveled to eastern Niger and learned to play the biram from the last living master player in 2002, and the master has since died. Maman Barka is reputedly the last player of this instrument, and he is promoting the instrument worldwide. Here is a picture of Maman Barka, his biram, and his accompanying percussionist (who was also amazing).
The sound produced by the biram is rich, mellow, resonant, and oddly electric. It has five chords that are played at various octaves to produce melody. The songs he played ranged from things he learned from his teacher to contemporary meditations on the future of Africa and the promise of youth. Here is a link to Maman Barka.
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