Ballaké

Ballaké is a West African given name, used primarily among Mandé-speaking communities in Mali, Guinea, and surrounding regions. It is commonly a masculine name and appears in traditional and contemporary naming practices within these communities. The exact etymology of the name is not widely documented in major reference works.

Notable people with the name include Ballaké Sissoko, a Malian musician renowned for playing the kora. Sissoko has contributed to the global visibility of kora-based music through extensive solo work and collaborations. One well-known project is the 2010 album Chamber Music, a cross-cultural collaboration with French cellist Vincent Ségal that blends West African string melodies with European chamber music sensibilities.

Beyond individuals, the name Ballaké can appear in cultural contexts within West Africa, including literature and storytelling traditions where personal naming reflects regional languages and customs. Overall, Ballaké is recognized primarily as a given name tied to West African musical and cultural heritage through its association with notable artists such as Ballaké Sissoko.