Amadou Bagayoko, the celebrated Malian musician and guitarist, was laid to rest in Bamako on Sunday, 6 April 2025, after passing away on Friday at the age of 70.
Bagayoko, alongside his wife Mariam Doumbia, was instrumental in bringing African music to the global stage. The funeral was attended by thousands, including family, friends, political figures, and fellow artists from Mali and abroad. The ceremony included heartfelt tributes and testimonies that highlighted Bagayoko’s immense contribution to music and culture.
Among the mourners was Mali’s iconic musician Salif Keïta, who expressed his grief, saying, “We’ve lost a colleague, a friend, a relative. His death creates a huge void, but his records, his lyrics, will live on.” Mali’s Minister of Culture, Mamou Daffé, also honoured Bagayoko’s memory, praising his role in elevating Malian culture on the world stage. The ceremony, which saw many attendees dressed in traditional white or black attire, concluded with a memorial prayer in the neighbourhood where Bagayoko had lived before his private burial in his home’s garden.
Bagayoko and his wife Mariam, who met at the Bamako Blind Institute in 1976, formed the iconic musical duo Amadou & Mariam. They gained international recognition in 2004 with their hit album Dimanche à Bamako, produced by Manu Chao. Their music has been a staple on global dancefloors, and they have performed at major events worldwide, including the closing ceremony of the Paris Paralympic Games in 2024. Their legacy continues to inspire audiences around the world, and their contributions to African music will never be forgotten.