Ninie Doniah | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Virginie Bezara |
| Born | 1966/1967 Malagasy Republic |
| Died | (aged 56) |
| Genres | Salegy |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter |
| Instrument | Voice |
Ninie Doniah (1966/1967 – 19 November 2023) was a Malagasy singer and composer of salegy music that originates from the northern coastal area of Madagascar, including her birthplace of Nosy Be. She descended from a musical family: her grandmother was a celebrated singer of the traditional jijy vako-drazana antakarana.[1]
Doniah was commonly termed the "Queen of Salegy", in counterpoint to the "King of Salegy," superstar Jaojoby. She is considered one of the best female salegy performers in a genre dominated by men, and is the most well-recognized and successful female ambassador of the genre outside of Madagascar.[2]
Doniah recorded more than six albums since the mid-1990s and continued to tour throughout Madagascar and the Indian Ocean islands.[1]
Doniah died on 19 November 2023, at the age of 56.[3]