Les Amazones d'Afrique - Kuma Fo

‘Kuma Fo (What They Say)’ features five different members of the collective Les Amazones d’Afrique singing in their native languages from the countries Mali, Benin, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast and Congo-Brazzaville. Alongside the familiar voices of Mamani Keïta, Fafa Ruffino and Kandy Guira, the track features new members Alvie Bitemo, an activist and actress originally from Congo-Brazzaville, and renowned Ivorian artist Dobet Gnahoré.

“‘Kuma Fo’ is about women’s freedom of expression.” Bitemo says. “It’s about speaking up — not asking, not waiting for us to be given the floor. We need to seize it.” “When you look at the Amazons of Dahomey, it was female warriors who made the decisions and took power. It feels like since colonization, certain countries in Africa have moved further away from women's rights. And in this song, we say that if you bring life into the world, you educate, you organize the family, then you should reclaim your power: your female power.”

Credits

• Directed by Valérie Malot & Odhrán Mullan

• Cinematographer (Morocco): Edwin Sedjro

• Cinematographer (Côte d’Ivoire forest): Jypheal Tayorault

• Editing & colour: Odhrán Mullan

• Art direction & styling: Madjiguene Samb

• Costume: Maison Kébé

• Hair & make-up: Hawa Sy

• Planning & production: Gregoire Hugé, Cecile Lecoeur