The Art and Music of the Malian Sumu or Wedding Ceremony

Throughout Africa, Oumou Sangaré is known as the ‘Songbird of Wassoulou’, a reference to the remote and rural southern region of Mali where the musical tradition derives from traditional hunting songs.

Though Oumou was born and raised in the Mali capital Bamako, her mother was a Wasulu singer whose main income came from performing at sumu, the colourful Malian wedding celebrations organised by women.

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Oumou possessed a natural singing talent from a young age and after her father abandoned the family she began to perform with her mother at sumus and soon became an in demand singer in her own right.

At five she was winning school singing contests and performing to large crowds at the national Omnisport Stadium. At 16 she was recruited by the group Djoliba Percussions to tour Europe and in 1990, at the age of 21, she produced her first album Moussolou (Women).

Since then, the Grammy-awarded singer has become one of the biggest musical stars in Africa with her popularity likened to that of Bob Marley’s where her appeal goes beyond music. As well as an outspoken advocate for women’s rights, who opposes child marriage and polygamy, Sangaré is a successful businesswoman who is involved in hotels, agriculture and even launched her own car.

Her latest track “Yere Faga” is taken from a forthcoming album Mogoya, and she will be performing at Australia and New Zealand in March as part of the WOMAD Festival.

As a performer Sangaré is still driven by the power, energy and cultural significance of the sumu, wassoulou music and singing in the streets.

Sumu singers have been part of an established Mali tradition long before colonisation and are still very much admired and appreciated locally. Singing praise and respect to members of the wedding party, they are presented with lavish gifts including jewellery, designer handbags, silk and embroiled dresses, cars and even villas.

With the aide of a translator we had a chat to Oumou about sumu and her life as a singer.

Noisey: When did you perform your first sumu?

Oumou Sangaré: My first performance was at a primary school competition. At that time I was only singing at home with my mother and learning from her. It turns out that I won the competition and the prize was to give a performance at Bamako Stadium in front of 3000 people. Thats was the beginning of it all. I was 5 at that time.

I continued with my studies but the experience touched me forever. My father left us when I was a baby and I was responsible for helping my mother at home and to take care of her and my little brothers. It was then when I started singing at weddings and baptisms and other ceremonies. Soon I was so involved that I quit my studies and that was it.

What did you learn from your mother?

I learned everything from her. How to be a strong woman and how to take care of the ones I love. She taught me the type behaviour I must have when performing. She taught me the songs, she showed me the way. I’m always thankful of my mother, till nowadays I say thanks god for this mother. In my upcoming album I dedicate a song “Minata Waraba” to her.

What is a typical sumu like?

The ceremonies accompany relevant moments in life such as weddings but also every new birth and others. They are organised by woman for woman and they are full of joy, colour and happiness. The only men involved are the musicians who mainly play percussion and other traditional instruments. Nowadays there are also modern instruments. An electric generator is connected with some batteries so they bring sound systems and connect guitars, microphones, drum kits and any type of speakers.

The more money you have the better quality materials and the better or more known musicians you get. Also generally more people attend and higher society level and guest you have. In Mali Sundays are the days of the marriage. They take place in the streets or the courtyard of a house. Generally improvised tents protect people from the sun and you will see that 95% is woman.

How has sumu empowered Malian women?

Well it was a way of visibility and empowerment. It was common to think that music was to be made and performed by men so it was by this type of ceremonies many woman singers become real vedettes very known and it was bringing the possibility to talk and denounce certain things, that step by step has been changing.

Do some conservatives criticise sumu singers for their independent life styles?

There are always people that criticise. There is also lot of jealousy, as I guess this happen everywhere not only in Africa jeje.

The elaborate presentation of money or gifts to the singer is a big part of the celebration.

Whenever the song is dedicated to a family or specific person, this person then generally starts dancing and throws money to the singer and musicians. It can be big money sometimes. It is kind of a of blessing for the person receiving this honours through song.

How important is sumu to Malian culture?

It is part of our traditions. I believe these traditions are constructive and good for the society. The celebrations keep us together and are a vehicle of transmission for ideas and relevant concepts.