Thesiss

This dissertation examines the dynamics and mediation of modernity in urban West African expressive culture, particularly as engaged by female vocal singing stars in Bamako, Mali of an urban popular music style called Wassolu. Since the 1990s this historically marginalized migra…

This dissertation examines the socio-cultural and historical contours of musical expression and identity formation in postcolonial Bamako, Mali, a sprawling West African metropolis on the upper Niger River. Specifically, this work engages with a particular community of urban art…