‘Kurunba’ is the second single from the album BAMANAN. The song is a powerful example of resistance and denouncing the customs of exclusion faced by women when they have finished raising their husband’s children. In some patriarchal societies, once her children are married, the wife’s role in the family is diminished and often results in the arrival of a co-wife. If she rebels against this, she could be branded as ‘crazy’ and isolated from society.

“Kurunba tells the story of a particular woman who was freed from her isolation,” Rokia explains. “On the day of her daughter’s wedding she sang this song, and the same people who had tried to lock her up were transformed into dogs and flies. It’s like a curse.”

Director: Kennedy Junior Muntanga – @kennedyjuniormuntanga
Assistant Director: Joey Barton – @joey.t.barton
Producer/Editor: Odhrán Mullan – @odhranmullan
Director of Photography: Jake Duncan – @jakebrynduncan
Gaffer: Robin Niedojadło – @robin_niedojadlo
1st AC: Gabriel Niedojadło – @gabriel_niedojadlo
2nd AC: Ben Pike – @pike.ben
Colourist: Cam Sander – @cam_sander
Makeup Artist: Bella Barton – @babyfuzz_

Dancers
Choreographed by Kennedy Junior Muntanga Dance Theatre @Kmdancetheatre
Jane Jasmine Saword – @jjsaword
Max Mulrenan – @maxmulrenan.fl
Moses Ward – @moses.m.o.ward
Jordan Ajadi – @airajadi
Maycie-Ann St-Louis – @maycie_x0
Nadine Élise Muncey – @nadinemuncey
Jessica Chambers – @jessicachambersdance
Lizzie Zrada – @lizziezradaaa
Rachel Sullivan – @rachel__sullivan
Margherita Giuliodori – @marghegiuliodori
Maia Faulkner – @maiafaulkner
Keziah Campbell-Golding – @Keziahraee
Kes Payne – @kespayne
Isabel le Cras – @Isabelurpi_lc
Lauren Case – @_lauriecase_
Christina Prompona – @xristinaprompona

Venue: Space 289 – @space.289
Sound & Desk Op: Benjamin Asante

Rokia filmed by Aba Sangaré – @le_dynozor_official
Location: Baniko House, Bamako, Mali

Thanks to: Valérie Malot & 3D Family, RFI Talent, Harry Follett.