Mi'gmafrica is a unique musical group that blends the traditions of the West African Mandinka and Indigenous Canadian Mi'gmaq cultures. Valérie Ivy Hamelin, a multidisciplinary artist from the Mi'gmaq Nation of Gespeg, located on the Gaspé peninsula of Quebec, celebrates her heritage through voice, flute, hand drum, and storytelling, while advocating for cultural revitalization and environmental protection. Sadio Sissokho, a Senegalese griot, carries his lineage's rich oral history, mastering the kora, percussion, and traditional songs. A charismatic performer with international experience, he teaches and performs to honor his cultural roots. Together, they merge their artistry, weaving languages and melodies into a powerful celebration of connection and humanity.
Featured Song:
"Sora yé la" (The Exile) is a poignant song that captures the deep nostalgia of an exile longing for their homeland, reflecting on loss, family, and the cycle of life and death. Joined Thierry Arsenault on drum, Mathieu Royer on bass and Stephan Ritch on guitar, Hamelin plays flute and Sissokho sings in Mandinka, “I went to live in another country / I missed my family / My father left, my mother left while I was away."
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