Tiganá Santana, born in 1982 in Salvador, Bahia, is a Brazilian multi-artist, celebrated for his groundbreaking contributions as a composer, singer, instrumentalist, poet, producer, professor and researcher. He is the first Brazilian to record an entire album featuring African languages, exemplified in Maçalê (2010). A doctor in Translation Studies from USP, his thesis on Bantu-Kongo cosmology earned the prestigious Antônio Cândido Award. Tiganá’s music, blending African and Brazilian traditions, has garnered him international acclaim, including recognition by Songlines magazine as one of Brazil's top musicians. His diverse work includes curating cultural exhibitions, composing for films, and publishing poetry. As a professor at UFBA and USP, he bridges academia and artistry. A global performer and intercultural ambassador, Santana continues to honor and expand Afro-Brazilian cultural heritage.
Featured Song:
"Mon'ami" appeared on Santana’s album Tempo & Magma, released in 2015 by ajabu!, a Swedish record label. The track features Malian musician Diango Diabaté on ngoni, a West African stringed instrument, and exemplifies Santana's signature blend of African and Brazilian musical traditions. Santana sings in Kimbundu, a Bantu language spoken widely in Angola, “The hot sand and a moment of respite from pain / The sea carries the thirst for life.”
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