Maichata Sampana

Born in Djafarabé, in the Mopti region of Mali, the musician Maïchata studied in her hometown before moving to the capital city, Bamako, in 2007. Despite a disability in her arm since childhood, she does not let her handicap hold her back and considers herself a full-fledged artist.

Maïchata proudly represents Mali with the EIHD orchestra at three consecutive editions of the Handi International Festival in Senegal. On the local stage, she captivates audiences with her music, which she describes as "penta" music, referring to the pentatonic scale of traditional Malian music. With about twenty songs to her credit, she has achieved great success, particularly with tracks such as "Né Ka Lolo" (My Star) and "Gnoumakè" (The Goodness).

Maïchata's life has been marked by tragic events. At the age of five or six, she suffered a serious fall that resulted in the amputation of her right arm. She adapts her style of dressing to her physical condition without shame or complex. Furthermore, she lost her biological father shortly after the accident and was raised by the imam of Djafarabé until she left for Téninkou. For several years now, she has also been deprived of her mother's love due to health issues.

Her latest album refers to the difficult world of show business in Mali, with its backstabbing, blackmail, and harassment.

To her, disability is just a matter of mindset, and she refuses to be dictated by her handicap.