The MAA NGALA means the creator god of the Mandinga civilization in Venezuela.
The MANDINGA civilization, located in countries such as Mali, Gambia, Senegambia and part of Senegal, is made up of several subgroups such as Malinké, Peul, Wolof and Mande. This civilization was carried by great navigators, and it is even written that one of these navigators would have come to America before Christopher Columbus. From these trips, the Venezuelan artistic cultures are much inspired by these men who came from the African continent.
The history shared by the artists’ two countries of origin, Senegal and Venezuela, is the basis of this artistic encounter. In Venezuela, from the middle of the 16th century, several African migrations and deportations brought their cultures and traditions. Venezuela has seen traditional instruments come from distant horizons transform into instruments like the Chimbangueles, the Cumaco, the Maracas, the Cuatro and the Congas found in the Mal NGala project. Like much music in Latin America, traditional African rhythms have been exported to become traditional Latin rhythms such as Chimbangueles, San Juan de Guatire, Quichimba, Caraballeda, Parranda or even salsa and Cumbia for the the most famous rhythms in Europe.
This important historical process had consequences that are still present in Venezuelan society, which can be appreciated through the way of life, in the rhythms, melodies and feelings. This is what La Gallera Social Club shares with its public on stage and which has the same cultural origin as the music of Ablaye Cissoko.
