Mariam Bagayoko honored for preserving Malian musical heritage

Malian artist Mariam Bagayoko has been honored at the 2025 Aga Khan Music Awards in London for her career-long dedication to preserving Malian musical traditions. Recognized as the ‘Nightingale of Bélédougou’, Bagayoko was celebrated at the Southbank Centre for her role in transmitting the musical and ritual heritage of the Bambara people, particularly to women and young girls.

Her work focuses on the preservation of traditional instruments and repertoires, such as the n’goussoumbala (a large balafon) and the yabara, which are central to the cultural identity of the Bélédougou region in central-west Mali. The award recognizes her contributions as both a performer and a trainer in safeguarding musical legacies against cultural homogenization.