A few weeks ago guitarist and singer Amadou Bagayoko died in Bamako, Mali where he was born. He was one half of Amadou & Mariam, whose music is a blend of traditional African influences, blues, and rock. RIP Amadou, thanks for the music
"Senegal Fast Food"
from the album Dimanche a Bamako
5) With the passing of Amadou Bagayoko last week, it feels fitting to share an example of the brilliant #music of #AmadouEtMariam, the duo of Amadou and his wife Mariam Doumbia. In 2005, they released "Sénégal Fast Food," a song about the challenges of seeking a better life through #migration, with guest artist and producer #ManuChao. #ThreeMinuteThursday #3MT #Mali #France #Spain https://youtu.be/J43T8rEOg-I?si=hnRPSFqPkdIHzkQ3
Hundreds of foreign nationals previously protected because they grew up in France now face expulsion under legislation introduced last year. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2025/04/10/baseball/migration-erope-africa/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #baseball #france #mali #immigration #humanrights
As a tribute to Amadou Bagayoko, who recently died at age 70 in Bamako, I would like to remind people of this 2017 live performance / interview at KEXP. The duo began playing live, and I feel that's where they are at their best.
I ni baraji fɔlikan ye, Amadou. (thanks for the music, Amadou)
#Music #Ethnomusicology #WorldMusic #Mali #Africa
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4o_pAxoRTU
Death of Amadou Bagayoko, Malian guitar player in the duo Amadou & Mariam.
In French - RFI: https://www.rfi.fr/fr/musique/20250404-mort-d-amadou-bagayoko-membre-du-l%C3%A9gendaire-duo-de-musiciens-aveugles-amadou-et-mariam
The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/apr/05/amadou-bagayoko-of-music-duo-amadou-and-mariam-dies-aged-70
Music on AMF: https://amf.didiermary.fr/?s=amadou+mariam
RIP Amadou Bagayoko. Here's a sample of the late Malian musician.
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Ukraine's MFA responds to Mali disinformation propaganda claim (more) https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-polytics/3978161-ukraines-mfa-responds-to-mali-juntas-sponsor-of-terrorism-claim.html #Ukraine #NukesForUkraine #Mali #SouthKorea #Japan #Press #Africa #Taiwan #Media #NukesOrNATO #USA #US #UK #EU #NATO #News #UnitedStates #EuropeanUnion #UnitedKingdom #russiaUkraineWar #11yrInvasionofUkraine #RussiaIsATerroristState
Sahel ministers visit Moscow to strengthen ties with Russia http://newsfeed.facilit8.network/TJvxcN #Sahel #Russia #Mali #BurkinaFaso #Niger
Grossular #Garnet
#Mali
1.5×1×1 cm
Photo by Anthony Stassin
By #GeologicalWondersToo / Karen Kemp
#GeologyPage #Nature #Minerals #Crystals #Gems #Nature #NatureLovers #NaturePhotography #Photographer #RockPorn
From Tinariwen to al Qaeda
Whiskey-Drinking Rocker Transforms Into West Africa’s Most Dangerous al Qaeda Leader
"A militant leader from Mali championed a rock band and helped write a hit song before leading an Islamist army that killed tens of thousands."
WSJ - archived: https://archive.ph/aObrx
A pro-Palestinian fan ran onto the field during a Tunisia-Mali football match to rip down a Carrefour advertisement banner in protest of the company’s links with the occupation 
Ukraine Daily summary - Wednesday, March 19 2025
'I don't want us to be on Putin's menu'; Zelensky says negotiations must include Ukraine -- Russian energy giant Gazprom suffers $13.1 billion loss in 2024 -- Meet the Ukrainian fashion brand that's making heritage trendy -- UK, EU to discuss confiscating Russian assets ahead of Ukraine peace talks -- and more
Super Djata Band – Fadingna Kouma/Facia (live)
https://amf.didiermary.fr/super-djata-band-live-fadingna-kouma/
The Super Djata Band from Bamako, Mali, led by the late Zani Diabaté (on lead guitar), who died on January 4, 2011, from their 1984 concert in Angoulême, France. On balafon Zani Diabaté’s late brother Bakari, and singing, the great (but unfortunately also late) Daouda ‘Flani’ Sangaré and Alou Fané, with Idrissa Magassa. […]
#Mali to investigate claims its Russian Wagner mercenary soldiers 'executed' 24 Tuareg women and children https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c04zlv32rdqo
An apparent Islamist armed group attacked a civilian convoy escorted by Malian armed forces and allied militias in northeastern #Mali on February 7, killing at least 34 civilians and injuring 34 others.
https://www.hrw.org/news/2025/02/20/mali-armed-islamist-attack-convoy-kills-34-civilians
Saving science and scholarship from marauders
I just finished Joshua Hammer's _Bad-Ass Librarians_. It recounts the complex and dangerous effort to gather hundreds of thousands of handwritten manuscripts from private homes around #Timbuktu, where they were under assault from rot and termites, to collect and repair them in the Ahmed Baba Institute (in Timbuktu, funded by Kuwait), to evacuate them surreptitiously to prevent their destruction by #AlQuaeda in their 2012-2013 invasion of northern #Mali, and finally to ensure their safe return to Institute. Plus, great title.
Recommended, partly for the history (new to me) of the medieval golden age of #Muslim science and scholarship in northwest #Africa, centered in Timbuktu, and partly for the example of a small band of Malian librarians to save their cultural heritage.
Of course there are also ominous similarities to current news.
Gold mine collapse kills at least 42, injures many more in Mali, one of Africa’s top gold producers. @AssociatedPress reports:
At least 48 people killed in #Mali goldmine collapse
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/feb/16/at-least-48-people-killed-in-mali-goldmine-collapse
Rescuers still searching for victims at the illegally operated mine in the west of the country
