Gambian musician and composer Sona Jobarteh brought the sounds of West African musical tradition to an international audience with her performance at the opening ceremony of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Senegal.
Jobarteh was among the African artists who performed at the ceremony on October 31 at the Abdoulaye Wade Stadium in Diamniadio. The event featured 1,115 performers, including 628 dancers, and celebrated African music, dance and cultural heritage, according to the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
A singer, composer and virtuoso of the kora, a traditional 21-string West African instrument, Jobarteh has built an international career by combining traditional Manding music with contemporary influences.
Born into a Gambian griot family, part of a centuries-old West African tradition of hereditary musicians and storytellers, she became the first professional female kora virtuoso to emerge from a West African griot dynasty. Traditionally, the instrument and its musical heritage have been passed down through male members of griot families, according to Sona Jobarteh's official biography.
Her debut solo album, "Fasiya", released in 2011, helped establish her position as an artist seeking to preserve traditional music while introducing it to new audiences. Since then, she has performed at major international venues and festivals, including the Hollywood Bowl in the United States.
Her musical work has also reached the film industry. Jobarteh wrote and performed "N'na Duniyaa" specifically for the Hollywood film "Beast", starring Idris Elba. The song explores humanity's relationship with nature and the need to protect the environment, according to Sona Jobarteh's official website.
Beyond performing, Jobarteh is involved in education and cultural preservation. She founded The Gambia Academy in 2015, an institution focused on educational reform and the integration of African history, traditions and cultural heritage into education.
Her appearance at the Dakar 2026 opening ceremony offered another opportunity to introduce international audiences to the sounds of the kora and the musical traditions of The Gambia.
Jobarteh's career illustrates how African musicians can bring traditional cultural heritage to international audiences while combining it with contemporary musical expression.
