Mali

Music from Niger: Bombino's album 'Sahel'

The musical expression of a people's pain

Like many Tamasheq musicians and many of his people, Niger-born Bombino has spent a lot of time in exile. On his latest album, "Sahel", he sings of the pain of exile and the importance for a people of holding on to its culture and values
Album review: Imarhan's "Aboogi"

Looking beyond the horizon

"Aboogi", on the City Slang label, is the latest release from Imarhan. Hailing from southern Algeria, Imarhan are one of the many bands that have emerged from the Tameshek diaspora. They see their music as a chance to preserve the culture and history of their people. By Richard Marcus
Album review: Ben Aylon's "Xalam"

More than a one man tribe

Ben Aylon’s debut international album sees him elevate the traditional music and instruments of Senegal and Mali into a fresh contemporary setting. Seven years in the making, "Xalam" features the late, great Malian diva Khaira Arby and sabar drumming legend Doudou Ndiaye Rose. By Richard Marcus
"Mali Magic": Ancient Mali's manuscripts available online

A virtual gallery containing thousands of Mali's ancient documents has been launched. The gallery contains up to 40 thousand documents written in ancient Arabic that have been digitised and made available online.
Boubacar "Badian" Diabate's "Mande Guitar: African Guitar Series Vol 1"

Acoustic guitar played with passion and joy

"Mande Guitar: African Guitar Series Vol 1" by Boubacar "Badian" Diabate is the first release on the Lion Songs Records label just established by esteemed music journalist Banning Eyre. Primarily an album of solo guitar tracks, each song on the album is a different exploration of Diabate's virtuosity. By Richard Marcus
Album review: Anansy Cisse's "Anoura"

A joyful tonic for the pandemic-weary

Anansy Cisse's new release "Anoura" – literally 'the light' – is not only a fine example of Malian music, but the story behind the album is also a microcosm of the struggles facing Malians, especially musicians, in the strife-ridden country. By Richard Marcus
Sauti – Africa young feminist blog

Giving a voice to young African women during coronavirus

The end of July saw the launch of the African Union’s "Sauti" digital publication, the first young feminist platform in Africa, which this year showcases stories by female youth on their initiatives and their challenges in the face of the coronavirus pandemic. Alessandra Bajec reports
Charlotte Wiedemann: "Now is the time for utopias"

The end of white dominance

In her latest book – "Der lange Abschied von der weissen Dominanz" – recently published in German, journalist Charlotte Wiedemann describes the upheaval in our changing, multi-polar world with startling clarity. By Christopher Resch
Book review: Charlie Englishʹs "The book smugglers of Timbuktu"

Of myths and heroes

Timbuktu, the ancient desert city in Mali, has always been shrouded in myths. Charlie English’s "The book smugglers of Timbuktu" proves that the city has not lost its magic. By Dagmar Wolf
Album review: Tartitʹs "Amankor/The Exile"

Lapping at your consciousness

With "Amankor/The Exile", the Kel Tamashek band Tartit have produced another cultural treasure for the rest of the world to appreciate. Their original intent may have been to keep their own culture alive, but in the process they have succeeded in bringing the sound of the desert into all our lives. By Richard Marcus
Western news coverage

The white perspective

Cultural arrogance has long been a feature of Western journalism and it continues to flourish. But can journalists really describe the world from the perspective of a Yemeni housewife, a shepherdess in Bhutan or an elderly Senegalese fisherman? By Charlotte Wiedemann
Album review: Diali Cissokho and Kaira Baʹs "Routes"

Marrying music and culture

Diali Cissokho left his native Senegal for North Carolina years ago. Raised as a griot, one of the traditional musical story tellers and historians of West Africa, he wanted to continue playing music in his new home. It may have taken a while to find the musicians he was looking for but, writes Richard Marcus, it was worth the wait