Les Amazones d’Afrique
The greatest vocalists and musicians of West Africa have joined voices to support gender equality. Band Les Amazones d’Afrique is a phenomenon on the world music scene that cooperated with the likes of Nneka or Mariam Doumbia (Amadou et Mariam). Their concert at last year’s Womad in London was praised by The Guardian or The Financial Times alike. The band will offer a mix of rock, blues, reggae, pop, African rhythms, exuberant harmonies and musical colorfulness at Pohoda 2017.
21. March 2017
The main idea of band Les Amazones d’Afrique is based on four principles: equality, fighting violence against women, breaking the silence and ending the impunity. Les Amazones d’Afrique have decided to use music as their weapon in an attempt to address the mentalities that continue to perpetuate disempowerment. They also believe that “music can contribute to the trigger of behavior change.” On their album, they collaborated with Irish producer Liam Farrell, who’s also worked with Mbongwana Star.
At last year’s concert in Paris, they performed their single “I Play the Kora” which represents band’s manifesto. According to Le Monde’s journalist Fanny Joachim, the song reminds us that Africa’s future might as well be in women’s hands. What carries a particularly strong message are the words “Femme, réveille-toi!” Woman, wake up! At the concert, they also introduced the audience to the important charity aspect of the project. All profits made by the campaign will be dedicated to the Panzi Foundation led by Dr. Denis Mukwege (Democratic Republic of the Congo), also known as “the man that fixes women.” He’s been operating in the hospital he alone founded to help victims of sexual abuse (mostly women who were group-raped by rebels) in Sud-Kivu Province for fifteen years. Due to frequent death threats, the hospital and its director are protected by Peace Corps. Les Amazones all agree that “If we can support Dr. Mukwege, we’ll do it. What he sees each day is terrible. We also want to pitch in!” The voices of these divas can break the chains and take over your heart. They are coming to Pohoda 2017 to win our hearts as well.