Online Reporter
H-Metro Reporter
TRAILBLAZING musical group Mookomba say they were blown away by their first experience at the Festival sur le Niger in Mali at the weekend.
It is one of Africa’s largest festivals and is held annually in Segou, Mali.
Mokomba are the second Zimbabwean group to perform at the festival and they followed in the footsteps of the legendary Oliver Mtukudzi.
The Victoria Falls group have produced a short clip of their Malian adventure.
“A short clip of our trip to the Festival sur le Niger in Segou, Mali,” the group said.
“It was our first time there and what an experience.
“The place, the culture and the music, mind blowing.
“Another major highlight was watching the legendary Salif Keita live in front of his home audience.”
Mokoomba have already said they are impressed with how their music is penetrating a lot of new markets on the continent.
The group play in more foreign venues every year than any other local musical group.
Mokoomba are big in Europe and have been making inroads in the United States.
However, they don’t command the same huge following at home like they do in foreign countries.
In Mali, Mokoomba shared the stage with Keita, Sekouba Bambino, Monz, Mylamo, Didier Awadi, Alif Naaba, Sekoiba and Amadou et Mariam.
The group’s spokesperson, Marcus Gora, told H-Metro:
“It’s a dream come true and we are happy to be here. We are doing okay, it’s just a different environment and they use mostly French, so we have to adjust,” he said.
“While we perform extensively on other continents, we take pride in the impact our music is making across Africa and also at home.
“We aim to host a good number of local concerts this year and look forward to touring Africa and Europe in the middle of the year.
“Towards the end of the year, we anticipate participating in the vibrant festival seasons which begin in September,” he said.
Abdoulaye Diop, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in Mali, officially opened the festival.
“The world is upset on every level. Some think they created the world and others must follow them,” he said.
“We need to use culture as a walking stick to change things in our favour. Nobody is giving Mali anything for free. They expect something in return and always want to live from us and when we fight for our rights they stand up and say they want to leave.”
Mathew Masinge