Help Preserve Traditional Dance and Music in Mali

2026 Kono Gnaga School Festival – Bamako, Mali

We are proud to share that Kono Gnaga’s 2026 School Festival in Bamako, Mali was a tremendous success!

Across multiple partner schools in Bamako, students participated in vibrant traditional music and dance programs that celebrated Mali’s rich cultural heritage. Through rehearsals, performances, and collaborative activities, young people deepened their connection to their cultural traditions while building confidence, teamwork, and leadership skills.

Beyond the performances themselves, the festival strengthened students’ sense of belonging within their schools and communities. Teachers reported increased engagement, enthusiasm for learning, and improved peer collaboration following the program.

To further support students’ academic success, every participant received essential school supplies, ensuring they are equipped not only artistically, but academically, for the year ahead.

We extend our sincere gratitude to Director Souleymane Solo Sana for his leadership and dedication, and to our generous supporters who make programs like this possible. Your contributions help us empower students through arts education, cultural preservation, and confidence-building experiences.

Thank you for investing in Mali’s next generation!

With gratitude,

Zyck Baggett and the Kono Gnaga Board of Directors

Dear Kono Gnaga Friends and Family,

As we enter the final months of 2025, we’re filled with anticipation for the new school year and the programs we will deliver across our partner schools for the 2025–2026 academic year.

This past year brought tremendous joy and pride. We celebrated our 7th Annual Kono Gnaga Festival in Bamako, uniting nine partner schools in a vibrant community celebration. After three months of intensive workshops, students took the stage to share their creativity, confidence, and love for Mali’s cultural heritage. We also expanded our reach to Segou, launching new programming in collaboration with the Mieruba Art Center, a milestone that deepened our connection with students, artists, and educators beyond Bamako.

Yet, as we celebrate these successes, we also face serious funding challenges that may force us to scale back our programs. Despite this uncertainty, our commitment to the children, teachers, and communities we serve remains unwavering. Parents have told us that their children are more motivated to attend school because of Kono Gnaga’s programs, and girls, who represent 80% of our participants, report feeling more confident in their studies and in themselves.

We know what’s at stake. When girls gain confidence and stay in school, entire communities benefit. With your continued support, we can ensure these transformative opportunities don’t disappear. Even as we adjust to limited resources, we are determined to keep the heartbeat of Kono Gnaga alive, preserving culture, expanding education, and empowering the next generation of Malian youth.

Looking ahead, we’re planning an artist collaboration event in the Washington, DC area on Friday, November 14 (see attached flyer) and will proudly participate in GlobalGiving’s Giving Tuesday campaign on December 2. We hope you’ll join us, through donations, spreading the word, or simply celebrating what we’ve built together.

Your generosity has made everything we do possible. As we navigate these uncertain times, your support means more than ever. Thank you for being part of the Kono Gnaga family and for standing with us in our mission to educate, empower, and inspire through culture.

With gratitude and hope,

Solo Sana and the entire Kono Gnaga Team