Pah Diarra, known as Pelengana Blo, is a renowned master of the Donso N'goni Bambara, an ancient and distinctive style of music from the Dô region in present-day Ségou. The Donso N'goni is an instrument closely connected to the Mandé hunters' brotherhood and has been used for centuries in significant ritual ceremonies.
Pelengana's musical journey has been deeply shaped by the late Bantoma Sanogo, one of the greatest masters of this style. Bantoma Sanogo, originally from the village of N'Gama in the Dô, played a crucial role in developing this musical tradition. He composed several important pieces for the Donso N'goni Bambara repertoire and remained an enduring source of inspiration for Pelengana throughout his career. Pelengana continues to honour and preserve this ancient art form while adding his own unique voice to its evolution.
His first solo album, set for release in 2025, pays tribute to his mentor and is intended to inspire today's Malian youth to pursue a path of value, despite the difficult times the country and the region are currently experiencing.
