Rokia Koné & Jacknife Lee - Kurunba

‘Kurunba’ is a powerful example of resistance and denouncing the customs of exclusion faced by women when they have finished raising their husband’s children. In some patriarchal societies, once her children are married, the wife’s role in the family is diminished and often results in the arrival of a co-wife. If she rebels against this, she could be branded as ‘crazy’ and isolated from society. “Kurunba tells the story of a particular woman who was freed from her isolation,” explains Rokia. “On the day of her daughter's wedding she sang this song, and the same people who had tried to lock her up were transformed into dogs and flies. It’s like a curse.”

Credits

  • Director: Kennedy Junior Muntanga

  • Assistant Director: Joey Barton

  • Producer/Editor: Odhrán Mullan

  • Director of Photography: Jake Duncan

  • Gaffer: Robin Niedojadło

  • 1st AC: Gabriel Niedojadło

  • 2nd AC: Ben Pike

  • Colourist: Cam Sander

  • Makeup Artist: Bella Barton

  • Venue: Space 289

  • Sound & Desk Op: Benjamin Asante

  • Videography (Rokia Koné): Aba Sangaré at Baniko House, Bamako, Mali

Thanks to: Valérie Malot & 3D Family, RFI Talent, Harry Follett & Ollie Cook at Space289.

Dancers (Choreographed by Kennedy Junior Muntanga Dance Theatre)

  • Jane Jasmine Saword - @jjsaword

  • Max Mulrenan - @maxmulrenan.fl

  • Moses Ward - @moses.m.o.ward

  • Jordan Ajadi - @airajadi

  • Maycie-Ann St-Louis - @maycie_x0

  • Nadine Élise Muncey - @nadinemuncey

  • Jessica Chambers - @jessicachambersdance

  • Lizzie Zrada - @lizziezradaaa

  • Rachel Sullivan - @rachel__sullivan

  • Margherita Giuliodori - @marghegiuliodori

  • Maia Faulkner - @maiafaulkner

  • Keziah Campbell-Golding - @Keziahraee

  • Kes Payne - @kespayne

  • Isabel le Cras - @Isabelurpi_lc

  • Lauren Case - @_lauriecase_

  • Christina Prompona - @xristinaprompona

Oran MullanEditor, Producer