KILTIR

Kiltir is a maloya group from Reunion island, whose name “kiltir” comes from the Creole word for “culture”. It is essentially a family group. These brothers and cousins have been practicing the maloya together since childhood.The maloya accompanies them throughout their lives, the good as well as the bad times, at family get togethers and the annual “servis kabaré”, ceremony which honours the ancestors, organized by their grandmother.
That’s how Jeannick, Gino, Florent, Pierre, Julson were initiated into this tradition. Since 1997, Kiltir has been performing on stage, introducing and promoting the maloya, without losing sight of their aim to safeguard and to transmit their heritage to future générations.
Kiltir’s music has been nicknamed “speed maloya” because of its tremendous energy. This group from Saint-André is famous for its fast-paced and broken rhythms. Their concerts are moments of real sharing with the public where the dancing and singing brings everyone to a relentless release. Kiltir is best described as “a maloya goup”. Only when the word stands alone does it retains its authenticity and meaning, according to NONO, the leader of the group. Kiltir’s performances are a communion with their audience, who are not simply a group of spec- tators, but participants in an event created together.
Nominated at the Kora Music Awards 2015, category “Best Traditional Band” with “Kabar maron” title.
Winner 2013 VOI (Voices of the Indian Ocean) 2013; category “Best Maloya Album”. “Traditionnel mèm”, the group’s lastest album, marks a major turning point in Kiltir’s musical career, not only confirming the group’s place among the musical establishment of Reunion but also introducing the group to the African and international music scene.