Fatoumata Diawara: Bringing Wassoulou Culture To The World

The Malian musician Fatoumata Diawara, now living in Paris, says singing was like medicine for her. As she moved around the world she took along her Malian customs and fused them with her new global outlook.

Fatoumata Diawara | © Youri Lenquette / World Circuit

Born in Ivory Coast to Malian parents in 1982, Fatoumata Diawara first started her international career as an actress in France. She appeared in films such as La Genese by Cheikh Oumar Cissoko and Sia, La Reve Du Python by Dani Kouyate, whilst also appearing in street theatre such as Royal de Luxe and musical performances with which she toured the world. During breaks from her tours, Diawara would sing in the cafes and clubs of Paris, until she was invited back to Mali as a chorus vocalist for the Malian star Oumou Sangare and American jazz singer Dee Dee Bridgewater, with whom she once again toured the world.

Fatoumata Diawara | © Youri Lenquette / World Circuit

From then on, Diawara took up the guitar and began composing her own songs. Teaching herself the guitar was a defining moment for her musical calling, saying that it was ‘a wonderful and daring thing: a Malian girl with an acoustic guitar. Why should a guitar only be for men?’ Her music blended Wassoulou traditions from the southwest of Mali, with the musical styles she had picked up from her travels around the world.After the decision to dedicate herself to her own music, Diawara appeared in several solo performances and released her debut album, Fatou, after signing a record deal with World Circuit.
Wassoulou culture is widely recognized for its musical riches, particularly the distinctive style of strong female vocalists alongside the backing of customary Malian instruments such as the harp, fiddle and djembe. Similar in sound and style to early American blues, which itself was deeply influenced by the West African music imported during the slave trade, Wassoulou music can also be identified by its compassionate and engaging lyrics, which often touch on typical women’s issues. In this light Diawara’s music reflects the combination of local instruments and moving real life stories with her sensuous and smoky style. Her constant development as an artist and musician has now also put her in notable place in the realms of jazz and funk, collaborating with other famous stars such as Damon Albarn, Herbie Hancock and Tony Allen.
By Sarah Mitchell

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.