Uploaded June 2022 | Updated September 2026, 4 days ago
Discover the powerful story of Sousou & Maher Cissoko, a groundbreaking musical duo whose love story and artistic partnership bridge continents, traditions, and cultures. Blending the deep-rooted griot heritage of Senegal with the soulful resonance of Swedish folk music, this full-length documentary explores how two musicians from vastly different backgrounds came together through their shared devotion to the kora—the 21-string West African harp-lute.
Maher Cissoko, born into the world-renowned Cissokho griot family in Ziguinchor, Senegal, was raised to be a jali—a storyteller, historian, and musician. Sousou Cissoko, from Höör, Sweden, is one of the very few female kora players in the world. Their connection is not only musical but deeply human—founded on mutual respect, cultural exchange, and a shared mission to build bridges across race, gender, and geography.
📍 Filmed at their retreat center in Abene, Senegal, this documentary offers intimate insights into their life, music, and values. It’s a celebration of anti-racism, cultural diversity, and musical collaboration across borders.
🎶 Keywords: West African kora music, griot traditions, Swedish folk fusion, intercultural love story, female kora players, anti-racism through music, Senegal music culture, musical storytelling, cultural bridge-building.
🎥 Directed & produced by Mattias Olsson for Campfire Stories campfire-stories.org
💛 Support our work: patreon.com/mattiasolsson
Discover the powerful story of Sousou & Maher Cissoko, a groundbreaking musical duo whose love story and artistic partnership bridge continents, traditions, and cultures. Blending the deep-rooted griot heritage of Senegal with the soulful resonance of Swedish folk music, this full-length documentary explores how two musicians from vastly different backgrounds came together through their shared devotion to the kora—the 21-string West African harp-lute.
Maher Cissoko, born into the world-renowned Cissokho griot family in Ziguinchor, Senegal, was raised to be a jali—a storyteller, historian, and musician. Sousou Cissoko, from Höör, Sweden, is one of the very few female kora players in the world. Their connection is not only musical but deeply human—founded on mutual respect, cultural exchange, and a shared mission to build bridges across race, gender, and geography.
📍 Filmed at their retreat center in Abene, Senegal, this documentary offers intimate insights into their life, music, and values. It’s a celebration of anti-racism, cultural diversity, and musical collaboration across borders.
🎶 Keywords: West African kora music, griot traditions, Swedish folk fusion, intercultural love story, female kora players, anti-racism through music, Senegal music culture, musical storytelling, cultural bridge-building.
🎥 Directed & produced by Mattias Olsson for Campfire Stories campfire-stories.org
💛 Support our work: patreon.com/mattiasolsson
