Musical Trees Project, Guinea

The 'Musical Trees Project, Guinea' aim to plant and sustainably manage trees that produce wood used in the manufacture of traditional Guinean instruments (e.g. djembé, dundun, krin, talking drum, balafon) as an investment for the future.  Currently these species are not under threat of becoming biologically extinct, but are at risk of becoming locally or commercially extinct.  Without these trees, the continuation and preservation of the traditional music culture and livelihood of musicians in Guinea will be under threat.

This project started as the 'Manding Kaira Musical Trees' Project in 2005, when the performance group Manding Kaira donated a portion of performance earnings to this project, and fundraised specifically for this project.  In addition to Manding Kaira's contribution numerous individuals generously donated money and fundraised for the project.  The 'Manding Kaira Musical Trees' Project was initially a multi-country project, however in 2007 the project was separated and now Geraldine and Nansady lead the 'Musical Tree Project, Guinea', which as the name suggests overseas the planting, maintainance and management of saplings/trees in Guinea.

During phase 1 of the project, suitable land was found close to the village of Sangbaralla in the Hamana region of Guinea.  Fortunately the land already had a number of mature 'musical trees' growing on it, which we plan to obtain seedlings from in the future for replanting.  These large 'mother trees' include wood types locally known as jalla (or bois rouge) and balafon, both of these woods are used to make djembés.  There are also a number of saplings, the wood which is normally used to make krins (or slit drums).  The land that we have obtained is being fenced (labour wages paid for with the money raised over 2005 and 2006) so as to protect the trees from being used for fire wood by local villagers. 

This project is a long-term investment in the trees used for musical instruments, and will ensure the availability of wood used to make instrument, and thus supporting to conserve the traditional culture of Guinea.

We would like to thank all those who have contributed to raising money for the Tree Project  over the last few years.  We would like to make a special mention to our most recent, and youngest, fundraiser who completed a sponsored cycle and raised nearly £200 for the 'Musical Tree Project, Guinea'.  Thank you.

If you would like more information on the project, or if you would like to donate money, or fundraise for the project, please contact us.