The African dance and drum cultural community was blessed for many years with the wisdom and talents of Djimo Kouyate. Born in Dianna, Tambacounda region, Senegal, Djimo was a Diali, oral historian and 149th generation of the Kouyate family of Diali, historians and musicians, who have honored West Africa for centuries. [A diali is a west African poet, praise singer and musician, considered a repository of oral tradition. Dialis are known as jeli in northern Mande areas, jali in southern Mande areas, guewel in Wolof, gawlo in Pulaar (Fula), and igiiw (or igawen) in Hassaniyya Arabic.]

August 16, 1946 - August 1, 2004

When Senegal became an independent nation Diali Kouyate became one of founding members of the National Ballet du Senegal, which he directed for over twenty years. During that time he toured fifty-nine countries on six continents. He also served as the Cultural Minister of Senegal and as instructor of kora music at L'Institute National des Arts. His skills on kora are internationally known and respected. Djimo Kouyate came to the United State in the early 80's where he settled in the District of Columbia. He directed and co-founded Memory of African Culture, Inc., a cultural arts and education organization and was the leader of Mamaya African Jazz ensemble. He shared his artistry in performance on various instruments of the Diali and Manding traditions, including the 21 string kora, the 6 string doso nkoning, and rhythmic presentations on the kutiro and djembe drum orchestras of Mandinka and Bambara traditions respectively.

Diali Djimo Kouyate served as an Adjunct Lecturer of African Music and Ethnomusicology at the University of Maryland from 1996 until his passing. He performed both as a solo artist, and with Memory of African Culture Performing Company, Mamaya African Jazz Ensemble, the Manding Griot Ensemble and the Kouyate Family at various venues internationally and nationally. He made eight recordings,"Djimo: West African Kora Music," "African Odyssey," "Fa Kae - Djimo Kouyate-Manding Kora Music," "Yankadi - Djimo Kouyate-Manding Drum Rhythms," "Djimo Kouyate & Mamaya African Jazz","Goree - Djimo Kouyate and Mamaya African Jazz," and "Diali Djimo Kouyate: Khabila (Family Lineage)," and "Diali Djimo Kouyate- Wato Sita: This is the Time...for Peace."