VI.BE

Kabunga takes you on a journey through the ancient musical traditions of the Bwa people from Mali and Burkina Faso. Source of inspiration are the Deni rhythms, played at the end of the harvest season when people come together to relax, sing and dance. In a distinctive blend of these rhythms with funk, jazz, and blues, Kabunga breathes new life into tradition.

The music grooves like Afrobeat, radiating the energy of Fela Kuti. At its heart are the traditional an’an and dumanu drums, enriched by contemporary instruments such as ngoni, tama, balafon, drums, bass, guitar, and saxophone. Shows are a vibrant celebration of life—sometimes up-tempo and catchy, sometimes calm and meditative, but always driven by an irresistible rhythmic pulse.

Kabunga is a project of the Malian artist Zonatan Dembele, bassplayer for various internationally renowned artists including Rokia Traoré and Dawda Jobarteh. Since his arrival in Belgium in 2019, he collaborates with top musicians such as Steven De bruyn and Roland Van Campenhout, plays with Kabunga both in Belgium and abroad and performes as the support act for Amadou & Mariam and Adédèji.