Malian singer Oumou Sangaré, known as the songbird of Wassoulou, is set to headline the reopening of the Womad Festival in southwest England on July 26. At 58, Sangaré balances a demanding schedule, recently traveling from Canada to Paris ahead of the event, while continuing to advocate for women through her music and business ventures.
Sangaré’s rise to prominence began in her childhood in Daoudabougou, a suburb of Bamako, Mali’s capital. Raised by her mother Aminata Diakité—also a singer—after her father abandoned the family, Sangaré began singing publicly at a young age. By five, she had helped her primary school win a regional competition, and as a teenager, she sang in the streets to support her family financially. Dropping out of school, she took on the role of wedding singer, gradually building her repertoire of traditional Malian and regional songs.
At 16, Sangaré joined the local troupe Djoliba, touring Europe and the Caribbean, and at 18, she released her debut cassette, "Moussolou" (meaning Women). The album, notable for its feminist themes and youthful defiance, was groundbreaking in West Africa. Tracks such as “Diaraby Nene” challenged conservative social norms with references to love and female empowerment. The album sold over 200,000 copies in Mali, catching the attention of desert blues guitarist Ali Farka Touré. Touré introduced her work to Nick Gold, head of the World Circuit label, who helped launch her music internationally.
Sangaré’s artistic focus remains rooted in Wassoulou, Mali’s southern region near Guinea and Côte d’Ivoire, known for its distinctive culture and female-led musical traditions. Her music prominently features the kamelengoni, a percussive harp-lute, and addresses social issues from the perspective of women, often confronting antisocial behavior, gossip, and male irresponsibility. She describes her songcraft as a tool to change mindsets and improve the lives of women, drawing inspiration from her mother’s resilience.
Beyond music, Sangaré has developed entrepreneurial ventures, including a vehicle line manufactured in China under the brand "Oum Sang," offering affordable four-wheel-drive vehicles and pickup trucks tailored to African markets. She also owns two hotels, the Hotel Wassulu in Bamako and a camp in her home village, both business pursuits she sees as extensions of her advocacy for women’s economic empowerment.
Though Sangaré supports the current military government in Mali, which took power in 2020 following years of unrest linked to the Tuareg rebellion, she has declined involvement in politics. She respects fellow singer Salif Keïta’s political engagement but prefers to focus on her artistic and business work. She describes the ongoing conflict as a difficult situation, noting daily rebel attacks despite diminished international attention.
Recently, Sangaré has broadened her musical horizons by collaborating with electronic producers and performing with orchestras. In November, she appeared at the London Jazz Festival with the BBC Concert Orchestra, combining traditional sounds with lush orchestration. She also plans to release a new album, with songs already written though not yet recorded.
As she prepares to headline Womad, Sangaré continues her longstanding commitment to using music as a platform for social change, particularly advancing women’s roles both culturally and economically across Africa.