Sakili’s music reflects the history of Rodrigues Island, combining European and African influences: waltz, polka, mazurka, schottische, they all blend harmoniously to the rhythms of sega drumming, traditional among African slaves. Moreover, as globalization also influences the vast expanses of the Indian Ocean, there are of course, in some of the songs, elements of overlap with the western world or more recent preoccupations.

The Creole sega is sensual music and dance, with African influences, which was, in origin, a cultural form of resistance by slaves against the colonial rulers, but the culture turned little by little into a ritual that has in the end become rooted in tradition and lastingly incorporated in the way of life. The style of performance, sega drumming, is a vibrant mixture of music, consisting mainly of percussion, sin or status.

The Trio Sakili comprises three major ambassadors of Rodrigues sega: Vallen Pierre Louis is a banjoist well known and highly appreciated on the island. Francis Prosper belongs to one of the most important musical clans of the island and is without any doubt the best traditional percussionist and provides, with his warm timbre, the powerful voice of Sakili. Third in the line-up, Ricardo Legentile plays the accordion, the leading local melodic instrument, a heritage of the multiple influences on the island. The repertoire and the subtleties of his playing technique have been handed down from father to son for several generations of the family, while his mother, Yolande Legentile, belongs to the famous singers, the Mareshals of Sega in Rodrigues.

• Vallen Pierre Louis: banjo
• Francis Prosper: frame drum, vocals
• Ricardo Legentile: accordion

Afterparty in the foyer in collaboration with Rebel Up, NGHE & Drache Musicale (Radio Panik). NGHE will present its collectible cassettes, Drache Musicale and Rebel Up Sebcat will perform sounds drawn from Réunion, Mauritius and the Seychelles.