A01438 - Falaba Traore, Malian writer, comedian, director and librettist

Falaba Issa Traore (b. 1930, Bougouni, Mali – d. August 8, 2003, Rabat, Morocco) was a Malian writer, comedian, playwright, and theater and film director.  

Born in Bougouni, Mali, Traore directed an amateur theater troupe before taking over direction of the regional troupe of Bamako between 1962 and 1968. From 1969 to 1973, he created and directed the Yankadi troupe for folklore and the dramatic arts.

In 1973, Traore traveled to Germany to study cinema direction. On returning to Mali in 1976, he directed the cinema division of the Ministry of Sports, Arts, and Culture.

As a comedian, Traore played notable roles in the films of Kalifa Dienta (A Banna), of Cheick Oumar Sissoko (Nidiougou Guimba), and of Boubacar Sidibe (Le pacte social, Sanoudié, and N'Tronkélé). He worked also as a director, making his first film, Juguifolo (First Gleam of Hope), in 1979, and his last, Bamunan (The Sacred Pagne) in 1990. 

Falaba Issa Traore is the author -- the librettist -- of the operas Soundiata ou l'épopée mandingue and Dah Monzon ou l'épopée Bambara.

In 1972, Traore won the prix Afrique de Poesie de la Francophonie -- the African Prize for Poetry in French.  

Falaba Issa Traore died in Rabat, Morocco, on August 8, 2003.