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The Kéla festival is a unique event in the Mandé region (socio-cultural and geographic entity located in South-Western Mali). Kéla is a village renowned to be the cradle of the Malinka culture and music. It is located a few kilometres from Kangaba and the Guinean border. The main occupations of the population (essentially made up of Malinkas) are agriculture and music.

The Mandé is one of the West African regions boasting an inestimable cultural and artistic richness.

This committed and new event in the area acts as a ground for meetings and exchanges between the public, the artists and the population about the Malinka music and culture .

Alongside of the festival, many activities are offered: visit of the historic sites of the region (e.g., Kroukanfouga), round-tables, tales and legends at night, and trips on the Niger river.

During the day, traditional music and dance workshops are organized by several Malinka teachers-musicians, renowned for their expertise in the traditional Malinka repertoire.