Cymraeg x Mandinka Connections 

Cymraeg Mandinka Connections aims to highlight the similarities between the sharing of ancient folklore stories through music in Wales and Gambia. The project sees Welsh singer Mari Mathias and Gambian kora player Sura Susso come together in a unique collaboration that harness’s both artists deep respect, knowledge and experience in musical storytelling, that merges the ancient with modern stories and musical styles. Introducing the listeners to an insight into Welsh and Gambian folklore that can be relatable to contemporary times.

Sura comes from a griot (in Mandinka language known as Jali) family that are traditional West African storytellers, oral historians and musicians who preserve/share their history/traditions through praise, songs and stories. Griots have been around for centuries, their origins traced back to the 13th century Mande Empire. Sura’s music shares traditional folk songs of West African Mandinka culture and he composes new works, he has collaborated with many artists from all over the world. Sura’s passion for continually pushing the boundaries within his musical practice has led to the development of this collaboration project with Mari Mathias who is a young Welsh artist who draws on folklore and Welsh mythology in her music. Her musical style ‘alternative folk’ represents a fresh and modernised take on the rich traditions of Welsh music, aimed at bridging the gap between past and present, cultivating a sense of deep Welsh cultural identity and belonging.

Both artists perform in their first language Welsh/Mandinka, this being a huge part of their identity as people and artists which also shapes the identity of the stories that have been passed down from oral traditions for centuries of which they perform. Sura and Mari are passionate about the preservation of their native languages and want to share this with new audiences to continue to promote Welsh/Mandinka as widely as possible.

(2026 ALBUM TOUR DATE 2 : ‘KYFARWYDD’)

Sioe Band Llawn Taith Albwm dyddiad rhif dau gyda gefnogaeth gan / Full Band Show Album Tour date two with Support from ; Angharad Jenkins & Patrick Rimes

Cefnogwyd gan / Supported by TRAC CYMRU

Tickets TBA soon.

(2026 ALBUM TOUR DATE 3 : ‘KYFARWYDD’)

Sioe Band Llawn Taith Albwm Rhif Tri gyda gefnogaeth gan / Full Band Show Album Tour date 3 with Support from ; Angharad Jenkins & Patrick Rimes

Cefnogwyd gan / Supported by TRAC CYMRU

(2026 ALBUM TOUR DATE 4 : ‘KYFARWYDD’)

Sioe Band Llawn Taith Albwm Rhif Four gyda gefnogaeth gan / Full Band Show Album Tour date four with Support from ; Angharad Jenkins & Patrick Rimes

Cefnogwyd gan / Supported by TRAC CYMRU

Focus Wales, Wrecsam