Sharing the spirit of music: an interview with Deup director and musician Lamine Sonko

ACMI spoke to the acclaimed composer, artistic director and multi-instrumentalist about sharing cultural knowledge and understanding the essence of music.

Lamine Sonko describes the country of his birth, Senegal, as a beautiful, peaceful, multicultural place – a melting pot, distinct from other parts of West Africa, or Africa in general – full of music and joy, where people are strongly connected to their roots. Sonko's documentary, Deup (screening at ACMI on Fri 1 Jul), explores what it means to be a 'Guewel' – a role inherited by certain members of traditional communities in Sengal who are tasked with communicating ancient storytelling through dance, rhythms and song.