FL MORRIS / FMORRIS@STARBULLETIN.COM
Senegalese singer and dancer Ousseynou Kouyate performs with his twin brother, Assane, and their guest musicians tomorrow at Anna Bannana's.
The prophet Muhammad, the messenger of Allah, once fathered twins and they were named Assane and Ousseynou. Those same names were given a pair of identical twins in Senegal, West Africa -- strong and powerful names for a couple of boys who have grown into manhood as respected griots, or storytellers. Mesmerizing music of Senegal
By Gary C. W. Chun
gchun@starbulletin.comOriginating from the ancient Kouyate family line in an area that is now neighboring Mali, the twins are descendants from a long line of griots, or "djialys" in their native Wolof tongue.
They're not only oral historians, but also celebratory singers and dancers. And while they are strict Muslims, they and their guest drummers and percussionists will bring their art to the very secular surroundings of Anna Bannana's tomorrow night.
The twins have been professional performers since they were teenagers, and were members of the world-famous Le Ballet National du Senegal for seven years before leaving the troupe while in their late 20s to make a go of it in the U.S.
The Kouyates even lived for a brief spell in the islands a year and a half ago before settling down in Oakland, Calif.
"They're doing great in the Bay Area," their Hawaii friend and promoter Dhira DiBiase said. The twins and their Djialy Kunda Kouyate troupe has now been performing for four years, and the two men are back in Hawaii to both perform and teach.
"Hawaii kind of looks like Africa," Kouyate said in his quiet, mellifluous voice. "Also how the people act here reminds me of my country.
"When the spirit (of the djialy) comes to you, you have no choice but to follow it and learn. Before then, my brother and I liked to do just the dancing, and we were scared to sing," he said. "But the singing soon came to us easier, and a lot of our songs are about our continent's history, Allah, life and family."
"These two are like Siamese twins of one mind," DiBiase said. "When they're performing, the energy between the two is mesmerizing and captivating -- plus they can be funny and playful. They usually don't need to rehearse and can improvise on the spot."
Where: Anna Bannana's, 2440 S. Beretania St. The Twins:
Assane and Ousseynou Kouyate
of Senegal
When: 9 p.m. tomorrow
Admission: $8, 21 and over
Call: 259-6326
Click for online
calendars and events.
