Music, Peace and Governance in the Sahel

Photo: Creative Commons/Halle F. 

Since a coup in March 2012, Mali has been in the throes of an unprecedented political crisis spurring violence and unrest. A Peace Caravan of musicians – a traveling concert that encouraged cross cultural exchange and discussion to promote peace – will bring three Malian artists representing three distinct ethnic groups (Tuareg, Songhoy, and Dogon) from three different geographic regions of Mali (Timbuktu, Kidal, and Northern Mopti) to Notre Dame to share their stories.

Professor Jaimie Bleck will provide an overview of the Malian conflict and the role of music in contemporary Malian life. The musicians will then speak about their unique experiences including how the crisis has shaped their own experience as a Malian musician, its impact on the musical economy, as well as their thoughts on Mali’s future moving forward.

Sponsored by The Kroc Institute, The Institute for Scholarship in the Liberal Arts, the Nanovic Institute, the Keough School of Global Affairs, the Kellogg Institute, the Africa Working Group and an Arts and Letters Teaching Beyond the Classroom Grant.