Madina N’Diaye is an artist from Mali. Led by her love of Manding melodies,… Read Full Bio ↴Madina N’Diaye is an artist from Mali. Led by her love of Manding melodies, she claims and holds an original status in the West African musical landscape. She is today the only Malian woman on stage who plays the Kora, the classical harp-lute of West Africa and one of the most emblematic instruments in the Malian musical heritage. She is also a skillful player of the kamalen n'goni, a six-stringed lute-harp for young musicians.

Madina opens the way to a new phenomenon in Mali: Women’s access to musical instruments traditionnally usually reserved for men and the “jeli” (griot) caste. Despite the wrath of some traditionalists, she has made herself known as a talented songwriter, composer and performer. Mali and her commitment to the feminine cause are at the heart of her music. Taught by famous masters like Toumani Diabaté and Djélimadi Cissoko, Madina develops her own personal expression.

In 2003, Madina lost her eyesight because of a serious infection. Despite her handicap, she did not stop the rehearsals and has released her first album called "Bimogow" in 2006.

Source: http://madinandiaye.free.fr/index.php?mi=1&lang=en

Listen: http://www.myspace.com/madinandiayemusic