wassoulou

Wassoulou is a style of popular music originating from rural southern Mali. It is characterized by vocal and instrumental traditions, often featuring the kamele ngoni, a six-string harp, as well as violin, scraper, electric guitar, and bass. A chorus of female singers typically provides call-and-response vocals, a common feature in West African music.1

Malian singer and songwriter Oumou Sangaré is a prominent artist known for her work within the wassoulou style. Her music often addresses social issues, particularly those affecting women, such as polygamy and arranged marriage. Sangaré's debut album, Moussoulou (1990), achieved significant local success and was later distributed internationally.12