Dabaka (dembada)
The dabaka is a traditional style of percussive music and dance from Burkina Faso, associated with the Bobo peoples and their rituals. It relies on drum ensembles composed of drums (dabaka, djembé) and balafons, playing complex rhythms in polyrhythm. The dabaka accompanies ceremonies, initiation dances and community celebrations.
The dabaka music is deeply rooted in the daily life of the Bobo villages of Bobo-Dioulasso. The rhythms of the dabaka also influence contemporary Burkinabè music and have inspired local urban music artists.