FIWA — International Wassoulou Festival
Music of Wassoulou · Yanfolla, Mali
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The festival
In southern Mali, Yanfolila hosts the festival founded in 2016 by Oumou Sangaré, at the request of the Wassoulou youth. Free of charge, the FIWA makes the music, dance, theatre and crafts of the Mandingo area resound for three days, between memory and modernity. The 9th edition (February 12–14, 2026) had the theme 'Living together and the cohesion of peoples', with Côte d'Ivoire as guest of honour; the organisers announce more than 460,000 participants.
Good to know
Festival founded by Oumou Sangaré (2016). The 6th edition (March 3–5, 2023) included a night dedicated to Ali Farka Touré — videos from that edition can be seen on this page. No official email published (checked on October 20, 2026): the festival communicates via its official Facebook page and its founder's channels.
Video
Oumou Sangaré — live at FIWA 2023 (Mali-Online TV)
Ali Farka Touré Band — tribute night at FIWA 2023 (Mali-Online TV)
Djoss Saramani and Oumou Sangaré — duet at FIWA 2023 (Mali-Online TV)
Artists on the poster
- Oumou Sangaré (2023 — Head of poster and founder of the festival — performance filmed by Mali-Online TV) — See page
- Ali Farka Touré Band (2023 — Night tribute to Ali Farka Touré — the master's former musicians) — See page
- Djoss Saramani (2023 — In duo with Oumou Sangaré ("Dirabi Magne") — See page
The Focus flash — Festival TV
Flash Focus Mali — FIWA Wassoulou
Flash Info Festival TV · voice of Moïse 1er · 30 s