ABBEY SAINT-BENOÎT-DE-KEUR-MOUSSA

Founded in 1961 by a dozen monks of the Order of Saint Benedict from a Benedictine abbey in Sarthe, the abbey now has about forty members from different countries. In addition to being a "house of God" where the religious's quest for contemplation and the spirituality of the lay faithful rubs shoulders with the search for serenity or the thirst for curiosity of other visitors, it is also renowned for its broiler chickens, its cheese factory and the various products from its farm. But its international reputation is mainly due to its locally made koras and its magnificent Gregorian chants. The story goes back to 1964, when a Senegalese priest gave a kora to the community, which then began to make this traditional instrument in wooden keys, and to compose liturgical songs inspired by African music, under the guidance of one of the founding monks, Father Catta, who received the Albert Schweitzer Prize in 2003. The latter, who died in 2018, was even elevated two years before his death to the rank of Living Human Treasure, recognised by UNESCO. Today the monastery is renowned throughout the world and has almost twenty CDs in its discography, in addition to several international awards. Even if you are not a practising Catholic, try to attend a Keur Moussa mass where kora and balafon accompany the liturgical chants. This musical harmony, so singular, can touch everyone.