[pernordesjo]

I have been exploring Senegalese rhythms for the past 10 yrs. In my opinion, the names of rhythms are very fluid - basically, you will get a different answer from each person you ask. But never mind, just keep drumming and remember what the rhythm is called by the one you are playing with...

[Paul]

In my experience Senegalese teachers can be very liberal with naming rhythms. I've seen kuku called kailambe, which are very far apart as rhythms go. A few guys from the national ballet of guinea probably went up in the 60's after independence and it has been chinese whispers ever since. I went to a drum festival in Dakar a few years back. There were 7 bands doing their interpretations of rhythms like yankadi makru. There was only one band of young guys actually playing sabar.