Khaira Arby facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Khaira Arby
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In 2012
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| Background information | |
| Born | 21 September 1959 Timbuktu, Mali Federation |
| Died | 19 August 2018 (aged 58) Bamako, Mali |
| Occupation(s) | Traditional Malian singer |
| Instruments | Vocals |
Khaira Arby was a famous singer from Mali, a country in West Africa. People knew her as The Nightingale of Timbuktu because of her beautiful voice. She was born on September 21, 1959, and passed away on August 19, 2018. Khaira Arby was known for her powerful songs and for speaking out about important issues.
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Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Khaira Arby grew up in Timbuktu, a historic city in Mali. Her father was from the Tuareg people, and her mother was from the Songhai people. Both are important groups in Mali.
Khaira loved to sing from a very young age. She would perform at weddings and traditional parties. When she was just eleven, she joined a music group in Timbuktu.
At that time, the president of Mali, Moussa Traoré, encouraged Malian culture. This helped artists like Khaira. She later moved to Gao, another city, to join an artistic group there.
It was not easy for Khaira to be a singer. Her father and her first husband wanted her to stop. But Khaira was determined. After a short break, she started singing again with a group called Badema National. She later divorced her husband and remarried.
A Career of Courage and Music
In 1992, Khaira Arby became the first Malian woman to start a music career under her own name. This was a big step for women artists in Mali. Her music became popular in North America around 2010. She toured the United States and performed at big music festivals like Pop Montreal and the Montreal International Jazz Festival in Canada.
In 2012, northern Mali faced a difficult time. Some groups, including former soldiers, took control of the region. They were called jihadists. These groups did not like music and threatened artists.
Khaira Arby had to leave Timbuktu for her safety. She moved to Bamako, the capital city of Mali. In Timbuktu, the groups destroyed her musical instruments and threatened her family.
Three years later, in 2015, Khaira bravely returned to Timbuktu. She believed that music was a vital part of her culture and religion. She said, "Our religion has never banned music... Cutting music is like keeping us from breathing." She kept fighting for music and peace.
Khaira Arby's Unique Music
Khaira Arby wrote and sang her songs in several local languages. These included Songhai, Tamachek, Bambara, and Arabic. Her voice was very distinct and powerful.
Her songs often talked about important and sometimes difficult topics. For example, she spoke about peace during times when there were conflicts in the Tuareg region. She used traditional Malian instruments like the n'goni (a stringed instrument) and the njarka (a type of fiddle). She also mixed these with electric instruments to create her unique sound.
Later Life and Legacy
Khaira Arby passed away on August 19, 2018, in a hospital in Bamako. Her son shared that she had been receiving treatment for heart problems. Khaira Arby is remembered as a brave and talented singer who used her voice to promote peace and culture in Mali.
See also
In Spanish: Khaira Arby para niños
