Watch Niam: Jali of the Kora

Niam is twelve. He had been abandoned by his parents in the streets of Bamako but was taken in by Cekili Diabate, a good and generous man. Cekili is a Jali: a folk musician/orator more commonly known as a griot. He plays the kora, a stringed instrument halfway between a guitar and a harp with 21 nylon strings and a sound box made from half a calabash and then covered by a cowhide. Niam has blended very quickly into this artistic family, but the challenge for him is more than just being assimilated both sentimentally and affectionately, for the kora is traditionally taught orally from father to son. Diabate's natural son, Tumani, is himself a great kora player with an international reputation. Will Diabate take Niam under his wing, and teach him to be as great as his adopted "step-brother" has already become? Join Niam in his quest to become a Jali; to inherit the teachings of his adopted father, and to prove that he too is worthy of the Diabate name.

There are eight of them: eight children from every corner of the planet. As different as they are, one thing unites them: music. Their instruments are often unusual because they are rooted in their countries' traditions. The Kids, Music & Dance series invites you to discover the music of these special children and the close relationship they have with their instruments. Borales Productions for Phoenix Learning Group, Inc. For more information please visit www.PhoenixLearningGroup.com.