Njava

Njava is made up of five brothers and sisters from the island of Madagascar. Growing up in a very musical family with fifteen siblings, they scored national hits before moving to Europe in the 90s.
Since then the group has been awarded prizes from Radio France Internationale, Voice of Asia, Africolor, Transmusicales de Rennes, and Womex. Njava has toured throughout Europe and performed at leading world music festivals in North America. Two superlative CDs were recorded for EMI: Vetse and Source.
A third album, Vox Populi, is currently set for release in 2007. Its lyrics speak hauntingly of the abuse of children and the corruption in Madagascar. The music is a clever reinterpretation the Red Island's rich musical heritage through the use of modern sounds, resulting in what the group calls 'Ethnotic Groove'.
Musically, Madagascar may well be the richest country in Africa. Raucous salegy in the north, spicy tsapiky in the south. Unworldly chants of Antandroy herders. Flamboyant operetta on the plateau. Njava has assiduously studied and absorbed the island's rich musical heritage. Yet the group has a modern, sophisticated outlook. The result is an unusually broad musical palette, one firmly anchored in tradition yet truly innovative.
Onstage Njava explodes with energy, drama and rhythm. Monika and Lala harmonize as only sisters can, yet display two very distinct voices and personalities. Pata excites the crowd with virtuosic drumming. Maximin controls loops, samples, filters, and plays bass. Dada plays traditional styles on both acoustic and electric guitars.
In addition to performing worldwide with the groups Deep Forest and African Diva, the two sisters Monika and Lala run the Dames Damour foundation to help empower women in their ancestral village of Vohipeno.
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