Length: 2 hours. Currently in development, this large scale musical theatre production is based upon the vision of a young JALI (jah-lee), an hereditary musical historian from the MANDING culture of MALI, West Africa. "Listen to me, children of the Bright Country, and hear the great deeds of ages past. The words I speak are those of my father and his father before him, pure and full of truth. For we are JALIS. Centuries of law and learning reside within our minds. Thus we serve kings with the wisdom of history, bringing to life the lessons of the past so that the future may flourish." Opening dissertation from the 13th century Sunjata epic Having immigrated to New York City the young balafon player (xylophone), with heritage back to the royal courts of the great MANDING EMPIRE, is on his way to a performance and exhibit of MANDING antiquities. While on the subway, gazing into the black faces of the crowded train, he is transported into 13th century Mali . He meets his venerable ancestor and patriarch of the JALI cast, BALA FASEKE, advisor and confidant to the royal KEITA clan. "Ah, the art of the JALI, it is God who created the art of the JALI." From the 13th century song Jaliyaa From this point the significant events begin to unfold, which will come to define a civilization and a culture that continues to impact the mind and imagination of people everywhere. With a cast of over twenty performers: stilts, masquerade, an aerial acrobatic drum and dance corp, master illusionist, various musicians, etc, and the narrative of the JALI - the artisan of speech, the story unfurls like the sail of an ancient merchant ship plying the Niger. Through hiss and squeals of the subway train, the young JALI is hurled back in time and space to Manhattan, where he exits and proceeds to his performance. The presentation culminates with an Afro-pop performance, fusing traditional and contemporary elements of MANDING music and dance, acrobatics, circus tricks, and illusions concluding a choreographic spectacle and a story based upon one of the great dramas of human history.