Origins & Early Life

Fodéba Keïta (January 19, 1921 – May 27, 1969) was a Guinean dancer, musician, writer, playwright, composer and politician. Founder of the first professional African theatrical troupe, Theatre Africain, he also arranged "Liberté", the national anthem of Guinea. Born in Siguiri, Keïta was the son of a male nurse. He received his early education at the École normale supérieure William Ponty.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

During his law studies in Paris in 1948, he founded the band Sud Jazz. Beginning in the late 1940s, he founded Théâtre Africain (later Les Ballets Africains), a successful ballet group which toured Africa for six years and later became the national dance company of Guinea; then president of Senegal Léopold Sédar Senghor held it in high esteem. With Kanté Facély and Les Ballets Africains, he became instrumental in showcasing previously unknown Mandé performance traditions to other continents as well. After returning to Guinea, he published the poetry collection Poèmes africains (1950), the novel Le Maître d'école (1952), and in 1957, Keïta wrote and staged the narrative poem Aube africaine ("African Dawn") as a theatre-ballet based on the Thiaroye massacre. In African...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• ʻAbdu'l-Bahá — Contemporary (Died in 1921) (1921): Successor to Baháʼu'lláh and guiding light of the Baháʼí Faith.
• Akio Morita — Contemporary (Born in 1921) (1921): Visionary Japanese entrepreneur and co-founder of Sony.
• Alex Haley — Contemporary (Born in 1921) (1921): Pioneering author of 'Roots,' who brought Black American genealogy to global prominence.
• Adam Gilchrist — Contemporary (Born in 1969) (1969): Legendary Australian cricketer, redefining the wicket-keeper-batsman role with aggressive flair.
• Adam Riess — Contemporary (Born in 1969) (1969): Astrophysicist known for evidence of accelerating universe expansion via supernovae.
• Adrian Goldsworthy — Contemporary (Born in 1969) (1969): Prominent British historian specializing in the military aspects of Roman antiquity.
• Abbas the Great — Shared historical date (01-19 · Died) (1629): Fifth Safavid Shah of Iran, considered one of the greatest rulers in Iranian history.
• Alexander Mack — Shared historical date (01-19 · Died) (1735): German clergyman and founder of the Schwarzenau Brethren movement.
• Ajahn Buddhadasa — Shared historical date (05-27 · Born) (1906): Pioneering Thai Buddhist monk known for reinterpreting doctrine and fostering religious reformation.
• Ben Feldman — Shared historical date (05-27 · Born) (1980): American actor known for roles in Superstore, Mad Men, and Silicon Valley.
• 1921 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1921
• January 19 (01-19) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on January 19
• 1969 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1969
• May 27 (05-27) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on May 27