Malamine

1997 release. There's more to being a jelimuso (hereditary poet and musician of the Mande people of West Africa) than recounting history and singing praises. If she's dignified and bold enough, she speaks truth to power and denounces customs that perpetuate superstition and injustice. Aminata Kamisoko is that kind of jelimuso. The title song of her album Malamine decries the antiquated belief that a barren woman is cursed and a disgrace to her family and husband, and in it's verses she reveals that she is the infertile but proud mother of her adopted children. Her first child, Lamine Soumano, is the kora player and guitarist in this album. No wonder she's proud.