After headlining the National Theatre earlier in the week, Amazones made a  surprise guest appearance to close the 2006 Nuits d'Afrique festival with a resounding fury, the power of which is still resonating in my mind months later. Master drummers and musical trailblazers, Amazones, named after the legendary west African women warriors, Amazones lived up to  the billing.  The women's drum collective hit the stage with the energy that it takes to knock down centuries old tradition of being a male only occupation. Drumming in Guinea, historically more than just a music making activity was reserved for men only until this groundbreaking group formed. The women were treated as pariahs at first because of the strong cultural taboos Guinea is divided into 4 cultural regions Highland, Coastal, Midland, and Forest, each area has its own distinct rhythms all were represented onstage.
   

 Djessona Diabate

   
The show opened with a piece featuring Miriama Bialo-Diallo and Djessona Diabate playing rhythms from the forest region on the Krin.  Dancers in Checked black and White dresses were featured on the next piece "Bere yo Bere" from the coastal region.  Djessona Diabate sang a song composed specially for the Nuits d’Afrique festival thanking them for bringing Africans from across the diaspora together.  Fatoumata Kouyate played a long piece, a medley of rhythms from the four regions followed by a personal song in which describing herself as a descendant of griots asks why can’t she play as well?  The balafon had never been played by women, and concludes with prayers for peace throughout Africa. At that point the Djembe was introduced and the playing became really intense reaching a peak on a number called "Moussolou Le" where these women proclaim their authenticity as musicians in powerful booming passages conveying the message to all women to stand up for themselves.
   

 
Damaye Soumah, playing Sanghan, a wood drum which produces a mid bass tone

Djessona Diabate, playing Sanghan

 
Mariana Bialo-Diallo playing the Krin, an instrument made from a log that was used to communicate between villages in the region, and by secret societies. The rhythms used are codes understood by the drummers only. Djessona Diabate, playing the Krin

Fatoumata Kouyate, balafon player in Amazones photographed at Montreal's Nuits d'Afrique festival
   

Mariana Bialo-Diallo, of the Fulani people of the midland region
playing the Sanghan

 Djessona Diabate, on ground, playing djembe, Mama Adama-Soumah playing
the kenkeni an instrument with a higher pitch than the bass used to
harmonize the sound, standing at right is Mariana Bialo-Diallo playing djembe.
   

 Djessona Diabate, Mariana Bialo-Diallo, and Mama Adama-Soumah right all playing djembe
   

Djessona Diabate, playing Sanghan

 Mama Adama-Soumah, dancing in Black and White dress.
   

Djessona Diabate, Mom Baga, Dad Malinke, singing in white