Sayon Camara
Sayon Camara or Taramakhè is a Guinean singer. She was chosen in 2003 as the first African UNESCO Artist for Peace.
Sayon Camara | |
---|---|
Born | |
Nationality | Guinea |
Other names | Taramakhè |
Occupation | singer |
Known for | Singing and UNESCO Artist for Peace |
Spouse(s) | Mamadou Cissoko[1] |
Life
Camara was born in Faranah.
Her Malinke music is said to be "in line with the Mandingo art of the great griots".[2] She and other musicians (including her husband) recorded her first album in Cote D'Ivoire at a studio in Abidjan. The 1998 album, Dinguiraye, established her reputation in Guinea and she earned the nickname "Taramakhè (town agitator)" because of her extravagant concerts.[1] The following year she sang at UNESCO headquarters as part of the Félix Houphouët-Boigny Peace Prize ceremony[2] when the Community of Sant'Egidio were awarded the prize.
In 2002 her second album, "Saramaya" was again recorded in Abidjan[1] and she also returned to UNESCO headquarters and the Félix Houphouët-Boigny Peace Prize ceremony[2] when President of East Timor Xanana Gusmão was awarded the prize.[2] At the party to celebrate her album Saramaya she was given two cars and a house by her fans.[1]
She was chosen as a UNESCO Artist for Peace in 2003.[2] She was the first African to be given this role.[3]
References
- "Frank Bessem's Musiques d'Afrique: Sayon Camara". www.musiques-afrique.com. Retrieved 2020-02-04.
- "Sayon Camara | United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization". www.unesco.org. Retrieved 2020-02-04.
- "Biographie de Sayon Camara". Last.fm (in French). Retrieved 2020-02-04.