El Hadj NDiaye

El Hadj N'Diaye's mother comes from the Matam region, his father from the Casamance. He grew up in Dakar and studies economics at university. From there however he went on to act in two important films - "Camp de Thiaroye" and "Guelwarî" - by the celebrated Senegalese filmmaker Ousmane Sembène. Activism and art have always gone hand in hand for N'Diaye. He sings about official corruption, torture victims in the Cassamance struggle, the troubles of the disenfranchised Tuareg people in northern Mali, and the forgotten shadow people who inhabit Senegal's poorest districts. N'Diaye has faced hostility and censorship for his brave subject matter, but he has never backed down. He currently directs arts activities for a non-government organization called Environment, Development and Action (ENDA). He calls his division, Siggi ENDA Art, "siggi" being Wolof for "lift up your head." Internationally he has performed at Midem in Cannes, Womex in Berlin, and Cinars in Montreal.