BIOGRAPHY

If you have never seen this prodigious Tuareg guitarist, it would be difficult to truly grasp the essential message of the rebel musician, one of an entire people who have occupied the Sahel for millennia, aspiring to peace and justice despite local tensions. Born Goumour Almoctar, a nomad from the area around Niger’s northern city of Agadez, he now goes by the name of Omara “Bombino” Moctar. The supremacy of his skill on electric guitar caused a worldwide sensation at the release of his 2013 album, Nomad, produced by Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys. As though he had delivered a knockout punch, Bombino emerged a champion standing in the global ring!

Member of the Ifoghas clan, the artist transposes his personal experiences into moving songs. His Islamic faith, the dignity of resisting colonialism and sharing among people are the keys to his majestic scores. On stage, he wears the traditional Tuareg dress, his noble bearing a reflection of the warrior spirit he has inherited.  

Honouring women, the pillars of Tuareg society, he sings of his grandmother, to whom he owes his education. He enlightens us with powerful songs about this infinite world, delivered in full solemnity. Bombino embodies the wise, steadfast man, hallowed by his guitar despite his father’s opposition to his destiny as an artist. Exiled to Burkina Faso, fate intervened in 2009 when he was discovered by filmmaker Ron Wyman, who was immediately struck by the artist’s talent. The resulting 2010 documentary, Agadez, the Music and the Rebellion, revealed to the rest of the world what a supreme artist Bombino is. Soon after, his album Agadez was released on the Cumbancha record label and was followed by his 2011-2012 world tour. 

A friend to Québec, Bombino does us the great honour of coming to Festival International Nuits d’Afrique with his musicians, who are just as fiery as he is. Bombino ranks way up there with the likes of Carlos Santana and Jimi Hendrix!