User:Lscottdavis/sandbox

I plan on contributing the experience fanta damba had as she explored Europe as a singer and how she impacted her society as being the first woman to do so.

Fanta Damba was a successful mali muscian born into the Jeli family who are often called griots. She was rewarded for her talent by being recognized as a Ngara which is usually recognized as a master musician. In order for a griot be recognized as a Ngara, one must be considered a skilled, experienced, disicplined and successful musician usually over the age of forty. Many musicians aspire to be a Ngara, but very few held the title. Female Mali musicians recieve more attention and gifts such as cars, houses, jewerly, and gold compared the men mali musicians. The females are represented through the media, concerts, markets, and are viewed as the stars.

Fanta was one of the women invited to the second world's black and African festival of Arts and Culture held in Lagos in 1977. Fanta was one of Mali's most famous women from 1960-1970 and retired in the mid 1980s. She was known for touring europe as the first jelimuso and performing at the Mali national ensemble performance during her career period.

Mali women musicians have a reputation for singing praise with not many instruments involved.