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Seth Swingle

Biography

Seth Swingle has been interested in Africa, particularly Mali, ever since he was a small child and his parents regaled him with stories of their experiences there in the Peace Corps. Their stories inspired him to study Malian history, to learn French and Bambara, two languages spoken there, and to visit the West African country. Seth has also found a connection to Mali through music. He has learned how to play a Malian stringed instrument called the n’goni.

Seth says being a Young Scholar has made it possible for him to study literature and history with professors from the University of Virginia, become fluent in French, and hone his musical talents. He is an award-winning banjo player, who has performed widely at music festivals. He has also played the n’goni at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC and at Merlefest.

Seth plans to study ethnomusicology in college because it marries his interests in music, language, and culture. He sees his future in Mali. “Whether through producing music, writing books, or simply speaking about it to as many people as will listen, I feel that my calling in life is to be somewhere in Mali,” he says.

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