Nino Galissa’s Kora School: When Tradition Becomes Hope
At Orango Parque Hotel, we believe that traveling is not just about discovering new landscapes, but also about encountering the stories that live within them. This season, we are proud to add a very special experience to our circuit: an intimate and moving visit to the home of Guinean musician Nino Galissa, a master of the kora. Nino doesn’t just play from the soul — he is dedicating his life to reviving this ancestral instrument and sharing it with the new generations of Guinea-Bissau.
The Kora: A Legacy That Beats Again
The kora is much more than a musical instrument. It is the voice of memory, the whisper of ancestors, a source of wisdom passed down through strings and melodies. For centuries, this 21-string West African harp has been at the heart of Mandinka culture, played by griots — keepers of oral history — in ceremonies and celebrations.
But like so many other traditions, the kora has faced the risk of disappearing. That’s why, after years of a successful career in Europe, Nino Galissa returned to his homeland with a purpose: to breathe life back into this musical heritage and make it accessible to all. With this vision, he began building a kora school in Bissau’s Military Quarter, a space where children — girls and boys alike — can learn to play, create, and feel proud of their roots.
An Unforgettable Night: Music, Food, and Community
On the final night that Orango Parque Hotel travelers spend in Bissau before flying home, we offer an unforgettable experience: a traditional dinner at Nino Galissa’s home, lovingly prepared by his family, shared in a circle — with hands, with heart. And afterward, an intimate concert under the stars, where the kora vibrates and sings, as if it has something to tell each of us.
This experience is more than a performance — it’s a moment of human connection. And the most beautiful part is that every guest’s participation directly supports the school’s construction. The funds raised help continue the work, which now has the ground floor nearly completed, soon to host classes, workshops, and cultural events.
Travel and Transform
So far, more than 60 travelers from Orango Parque Hotel have taken part in this magical experience with Nino Galissa. They’ve shared meals at his table, felt his music, and — perhaps without even knowing it — become part of something much greater: a cultural movement planting seeds for the future through art.
Thanks to their support, the school is no longer a distant dream but a reality taking shape. A place that will teach more than music — it will offer tools, opportunities, and hope to many young people. A space where community will grow, respect will thrive, and diversity will be celebrated.
More Than Music: A School for Life
The kora school that Nino is building is more than just a classroom. It’s a symbol. A cultural act of resistance. An invitation to remember where we come from — and to imagine, together, where we want to go. Here, future musicians will be trained, yes — but also conscious, sensitive individuals, committed to their environment and identity.
The project is also creating jobs for local artisans, builders, and musicians, and aims to open its doors to international artists, building a bridge between Guinea-Bissau and the world.
Our Commitment to the Roots of Guinea-Bissau
At Orango Parque Hotel, we believe tourism can be a powerful force for positive transformation — when done with respect, listening, and love for the land that welcomes us. That’s why supporting Nino Galissa’s dream means supporting the values we hold dear: culture, community, sustainability, and social justice.
To those who have already been part of this story — thank you. And to those who haven’t yet: we await you. Because some journeys change you. And some music helps build the future.
