Fatoumata Diawara has released a new seven-track EP in conjunction with Google Arts & Culture. Titled Maliba, the release acts as an online ‘soundtrack’ to a new Google project entitled Mali Magic. This project allows extensive digital access to the Timbuktu manuscripts, as well as a wide range of audio, videos and texts relating to Malian culture. The Timbuktu manuscripts are a collection of texts dating back to the late 13th century, covering topics such as religion, astronomy, law, governance, medicine, black magic and necromancy, and were originally looked after by locals in Timbuktu, until eventually being smuggled to Bamako when Jihadists took over Timbuktu in 2012. Prior to that a campaign had begun to archive and digitise the papers, which gathered pace following the move to Bamako, and continues with this initiative from Google, which has made 40,000 manuscripts publicly available. 

“To be involved in the protection of the Timbuktu manuscripts is a huge honour,” says Fatoumata about her involvement. “Conditions for men and women in Mali are very different and for a woman to be involved in this cultural preservation is very important. It is unbelievable to be part of it and it feels like a dream.” Also part of the Mali Magic online portal are videos from Instruments4Africa and Timbuktu Renaissance on Malian musical traditions and dances, interactive documentation of the construction of The Great Mosque of Djenné and a new cover of Ali Farka Touré’s ‘Howkouna’ featuring musicians from across Mali including Djime Sissoko, Mamadou Sidiki Diabaté, Safi Diabaté and Vieux Farka Touré among others.

Watch the video for Fatoumata Diawara’s ‘Maliba’ and explore the Mali Magic website.