Mael SALETES Guitare / Choeurs
Sahra HALGAN Chant
Sahra Halgan - Somaliland
Music and songs of Somaliland in a trio Sahra arrived in Lyon in 1992, a political refugee from her native Somaliland, a territory in the North East of Somalia (East Africa), formerly a British colony, self-proclaimed independent since May 1991 but as yet unrecognised by the international community. Great-granddaughter and granddaughter of traditional singers, Sahra has been singing since the age of 13, despite the disapproval of her parents and the poor image of female musicians. She supports groups, participating in musicals throughout her region and across the country. In 1988, war broke out in Somaliland, and "Little Sahra" (Sahra Yart) joined the effort and went to sing alongside the soldiers fighting for the independence of her country, Walalo Hargeysa. On the front lines, Sahra improvised as nurse and sang to soften the suffering of the wounded in the middle of the jungle. Little Sahra became "Sahra the Fighter" (Sahra Halgan), this is how she was nicknamed by one of the country’s independence radio stations. She was then hired and trained by the Red Cross but in 1992, had to leave. "I did not leave my country to visit other countries, I would like to have the chance to go back, but I had no choice," sings Sahra. Her collaboration with Peter Solo, a singer songwriter from Togo (West Africa) who accompanies traditional percussions, guitar and KibĂ©ou (traditional guitar from Togo), provides a harmonious blend of sounds from East and West Africa, expressing in unison the suffering endured for generations by people in their respective countries. Sahra continues to actively support her country, Somaliland, and sings regularly to support the Somaliland diaspora worldwide. In a high intensity and always emotionally charged show, Sahra Halgan bears testament to her path with a disconcerting lightness. And this great voice of East Africa and her incredible stage presence always has the gift of putting her concert audience in a good mood with shared smiles...
With Sahra Halgan (lead vocal), Mael Saletes (guitares, chorus), Aymeric Krol (percussions, chorus)
