Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Radio France Internationale
Radio France Internationale
Lifestyle
Melissa Chemam with RFI

World musicians mourn the loss of Mali's 'king of kora' Toumani Diabate

Toumani Diabate and the London Symphony Orchestra, in November 2009. © Lars Opstad

Malian music star Toumani Diabate passed away after a short illness, his family announced over the weekend. Music lovers across the planet paid tribute to a master instrumentalist who helped share Mali's rich traditions with the world.

Diabate, who died on Friday at the age of 58, was considered a virtuoso of African stringed instrument the kora – a "king of kora" in Mali and beyond.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.