Nahawa Doumbia

Profile of the performer Nahawa Doumbia: Nahawa Doumbia was born in the small town of Mafélé, in the Sikasso region (next to the Ivory Coast’s border). Her grandmother had to raise the newborn because Nahawa’s mother died shortly after giving birth. Nahawa Doumbia’s grandmother lived in Manankoro, near Bougouni, the most important city in the Wassoulou region (south of Bamako, Mali’s capital). The Wassoulou region is well known for generating some of the best singers in Mali

Nahawa Doumbia is one of the most popular singers from the Wassoulou region in South Mali. She speaks to the younger generation of West Africa through her lyrics about love, the position of women in Malian society, and the plight of the African refugees in France. Her voice soars over traditional instruments (bala, kamele ngoni, and jembe) along with bass and acoustic guitar back up, her husband, guitarist Ngou Bagayoko.