Al Maaloumah Bint al Midah descends from a leading artistic Mauritanian family. She began singing while she was young and rebelled against the prevailing art traditions at the beginning of her career.
She contributed to developing a new art camp in her country but conservatives in Mauritania rejected it and accused her of subversion and madness. They called for killing her and burning her musical instruments, but the Mauritanian youth sided and supported her by establishing a club named “al Maaloumah Friends” and demonstrators rallied shouting her name.
The musician has acquired her artistic legitimacy these days and proved her competency on the Arab arena particularly through the satellite channels. She has intensified her activities in the various Arab countries as she sang on Cartage stage in Tunisia and returned to Beirut, which considers the Arab art capital. She sets from Beirut to familiarize people with the art of her country, the art that is still unknown by many people.
“I developed the Mauritanian music and wrote many national, social and humanitarian songs particularly in the first stage after I had abandoned the traditional style. In music I sought the help of the state of the art musical instruments to serve the Muaritanian music without putting aside most of the traditional and heritage instruments,” Midah told the Arabic daily al Hayat.
Midah believes that “there is equalization between man and woman in Mauritania and not many know this fact.” She added, “a woman in Mauritania is open to a big extent and can discuss any subject. She is a free human being within the framework of morals and has the spirit of initiative. Mauritanian women enjoy a high level of awareness and civilization. They have assumed the top ranking political, social and governmental positions. Our woman can be a minister, a politician or a party activist and can play an active role in most of the social issues.” -- Albawaba.com
