Mali’s Oumou Sangaré to be honoured at WOMEX

Previous Artist Award winners include Cheikh Lô (Senegal), Hugh Masekela (South Africa), Mariza (Mozambique), Staff Benda Bilili (DRC), Calypso Rose (Trinidad and Tobago) and Totó la Momposina (Colombia).

“To honour her dedication to activism and advocacy for the underprivileged in Mali and beyond, her exciting and innovative developments in Wassoulou music and her longevity as an internationally beloved star, the WOMEX 17 Artist Award is presented to Oumou Sangaré,” reads a WOMEX press statement.

Sangaré, who is known as ‘The Songbird of Wassoulou’, expressed her excitement about the award and thanked WOMEX for the honour. “This award is for all African women and people from all of Africa. They are the ones who have encouraged me to keep singing and writing songs. I am so glad and honoured to receive this award from WOMEX, one of the festivals that always believed in my music, and this is really the icing on the cake of my career. Thank you,” she said.   

Now in its 23rd edition, WOMEX and its Showcase Festival is based on an annual call that invites artists to bring their music to the WOMEX stage. It is rated among the most important international music gatherings and is known for bringing together professionals from the worlds of folk, roots, ethnic and traditional music. It comprises concerts, conferences and screenings of documentary films.

Sangaré is known for her original rendition of the music of the Wassoulou region in Mali and has collaborated with the likes of Tony Allen and Herbie Hancock. Her lyrics address women's rights, opposing child marriage and polygamy.

WOMEX 2017 will also honour Czech radio journalist Petr Dorůžka with the WOMEX Professional Excellence Award.

Other African artists who will perform at the event are Gato Preto (Mozambique), King Ayisoba (Ghana), Les Mangelepa (Kenya), Orlando Julius (Nigeria), King Ayisoba (Ghana), Waldemar Bastos (Angola/Portugal) and Qwanqwa (Ethiopia). Adding to the list of performers are artists from countries such as Israel, the US, UK, Mexico, Colombia, France and South Korea, among others.