Mamady Keïta was born on August 1, 19501 in Balandougou, a village located in Wassolon (province of Siguiri) near the Fé River, in the Republic of Guinea. Son of a master hunter and master of plants and healer (fida tigi in Malinké). He was introduced to the djembe at the age of seven by Karinkadjan Kondé, djembefola from his village.