At Home with Falle Nioke

As the year prepares to turn, Verity Sharp dials up singer songwriters who aren’t living in their country of birth. Are they more mindful of their roots at this time of year? Has the pandemic made them feel closer or further away from home? Or is music all they’ve needed to keep them rooted?

Love brought Falle Nioke from his home in Guinea, West Africa to the British seaside town of Margate. Playing the local music of his Coniagui tribe to passers-by in the harbour helps keep him in touch with his ancestors while making new friends. He talks about the similarities and differences between the two locations and sings to remember, accompanying himself on his homemade gongoma.

Presented and produced by Verity Sharp.
A Reduced Listening production for BBC Radio 3.