Loula Bint Siddaty Ould Abba, better known as Dimi Mint Abba was the most famous and successful Mauritanian musicians to have emerged from the Iggawin/ Griot tradition. A prominent female singer and ardin player Dimi Mint Abba through her songs manifested her love for her traditions and her homeland. Known as the “Diva of the desert” she was born in 1958 to musical parents. Her mother is a percussionist and ardin player and her father composed the Mauritanian national hymn and presides over the Mauritanian society of authors and composers. Her belonging and her attachment to the griot musical tradition represents much more to Mauritanians than a singer or musician, as their songs convey history, social commentary, poetry, prophecy and tales about the beauty of love. Dimi’s songs were influenced by the crossroads of African and Arabic culture, mixing Arabic scales and improvisation with traditional West African instruments.
In 1976 she played for the first time on Mauritanian radio. Her breakthrough came a year later in the Om Kolthoum singing competititon in Tunis, which she won with Sawt Elfan, a song which describes the social role of an artist as being more important than that of a fighter. Since then she has been one of the most important singers of the Maghreb and has undertaken many tours through Africa as also through Europe.Although the music of neighbouring Mali, Senegal, Algeria and Morocco are better known outside of Africa, the modern and traditional music of Mauritania boasts a unique fusion of African and Arabic cultures to produce a passionate, expressive singing style over complex rhythms - a powerful influence on other forms of music, including flamenco.
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