Eight woman-strong West African supergroup Les Amazones d’Afrique are united in their fight for gender equality and ending violence against women. Featuring Mariam Doumbia of Amadou & Mariam, among other talented musicians, the feminist collective have just recorded their genre-spanning debut album République Amazone. April Clare Welsh profiles the group on International Women’s Day.
Formed in Mali in 2015, Les Amazones d’Afrique is an all-female collective comprising some of West Africa’s most influential artists. Through their music, which champions everything from R&B, soul and dub to the West African griot tradition – the group is seeking to raise awareness of violence against women, sexual abuse, unequal access to land or education and female genital mutilation (FGM).
Among the members of the eight woman-strong supergroup – a mix of established musicians and newcomers – are legendary Malian griotte singer Kandia Kouyaté, aka “La Dangereuse,” Nigerian songwriter Nneka and storied drummer Mouneïssa Tandina – one of Mali’s rare female drummers, whose career began in the ‘70s and Mariam Doumbia of Grammy-nominated Malian duo Amadou & Mariam , who met at Mali’s Institute for the Young Blind.
“The first step for Les Amazones is to help men understand that gender equality is the key to development,” Doumbia tells FACT. The collective decided to join forces, she adds, because “it was necessary to show to the world that women, even they come from different backgrounds, can be on the same stage and forget their differences for a cause.”
Doumbia continues: “The cause here is to stop violence against women; this is the cement of the group and all women can relate to this. It is a universal message which can touch anyone; it’s not a question of color or poor or rich. All women can relate to this message and spread it.”
Les Amazones d’Afrique have just recorded their debut album, République Amazone. Produced by Liam Farrell, aka Doctor L, who’s worked with Tony Allen, Mbongwana Star and Assassin, the 12-track album includes Malian newcomer Rokia Koné’s desert blues mirage ‘Mansa Soyari’, the dub-inflected groove of ‘Doona’ by Bamako-born artist Mamani Keïta, and Nigerian hip-hop-influenced singer-songwriter Nneka on ‘La Dame Et Ses Valises.’
The album’s lyrics confront issues including domestic violence and FGM, while on ‘I Play The Kora’ the music comes with a clear message: “Rise up and fight injustice, because we’re all equal.” The kora works as an important metaphor, as playing the traditional griot’s instrument was an activity denied to women until very recently. Proceeds from the song will be donated to the Panzi Foundation, which helps treat victims of FGM and other survivors of sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The collective are also calling on men to join them on their journey towards equality. “It’s a love letter to men, in fact,” says Valérie Malot, the project’s co-ordinator. “Everyone is saying, in their way, we need you.
République Amazone is out March 10 on Real World Records.
