At 88, Malian musician and dancer Mariam Bagayoko continues to champion the traditional music and dance of Beledougou, central-western Mali, blending powerful Bambara songs with instruments like the yabara and the n’goussoumbala. Known as the “Nightingale of Beledougou,” Bagayoko learned music from the women of her village and began performing as a child. Her father initially opposed her ambitions, fearing success could expose her to danger, but she eventually became one of Mali’s most prominent traditional performers. In late 2025, she received a lifetime achievement honor at the Aga Khan Music Awards for her dedication to preserving Malian heritage. Through her cultural project “Tiebilentie,” she has helped revive a masked dance once reserved for rituals, transforming it for modern celebrations. She has also trained younger generations to carry traditional Bambara music and dances forward.