Rokia Traore

Rokia Traor: Bowmbo

by Eyal Hareuveni
September 8, 2005

Rokia Traoré presents an entirely different role model for an African female singer. She reflects on her Malian tradition and sings exclusively in her native language, Bamanan, which she chose because of its particular richness in metaphor and texture. But as she declares on “K”tê Don," from her third release, Bowmboï: “I respect my ancestors/But tradition is not infallible." She cherishes the social harmony in Mali:Who dares say that Mali has nothing to offer? Come with ...