Siffai Jobarteh, Gambian female kora musician is the first daughter of Gambia 's renowned senior kora player Ma Lamin Jobarteh. Sister of Kora musician PaBobo and Tata Dinding Jobarteh, Siffai has travelled a lot representing The Gambia in music alongside her brothers.

In this interview she maintains that financial support is what is holding her debut solo album from hitting the market.

Tell us how you started music?

Any way I started music when I was going to school. My father used to travel a lot and any time he is coming he used to bring me different manding music to listen to. Nobody in my family taught me how to do music. They just saw me writing my own songs and developing myself.

I couldn't continue with my schooling, due to financial difficulties. This compelled me to take up music as my career.

When first did you go on stage to sing?

This was in 1987, and then I was in secondary school.

Are you still part of your brother Pa Bobo's Kaira Band?

I am still there, but currently I am taking responsibility of my senior brother Tata Dindin's band.

Have you ever produce an album yet?

I have co-released a single album with Tata and the rest were done with Pa Bobo. I do everything with my brothers.

When do we expect your own solo album?

Sponsorship is my problem. I have searched for it and still am searching for it. Any time I get some one to assist me I will surely release my album. All the tracks are set at the moment.

Do you play any musical instrument?

I used to play the kora and taught people how to play it, but it was difficult for me to maintain it.

Can you tell us why female Mandinka griots like you shy away from the kora ?

There is a reason for it. As a woman when you play the kora , any cooking utensils like the calabash, you touch will end up breaking. I doubt if there is any woman who wants this. Some of us do try the kora , but at the end of the day they have to perform some traditional rituals to enable you resume cooking.

Tell us about the National Association of Female Artistes- Gambia (NAFA)

We are seven in number. It includes me, Amie Cherry, Sambou Susso, Aji Sai Ngum and others. We felt that men want to dominate the music scene, so we need to organize ourselves to avoid this. Sometimes we hire instruments to perform together, but later we are planning to have our own instruments.

But you guys are very quite?

We are under the Women's Bureau. There are plans to release a CD on some of the difficulties that women encounter. Each of us will do a single track and we will invite Jaliba Kuyateh, Mam Tamsir and one rap group to also contribute a single track each.

What do you think is preventing female Gambian musicians from gaining great popularity in the country and outside?

The problem is, we are not given the required support, but we hope NAFA will change the trend.

What happens if Tata is back? Are you going back to join Pa Bobo or what?

I will join him. I support both of them; but Tata do not stay here for a long time, because he is always busy with his contracts abroad.

If you are to produce an album, will you do the recording and production in The Gambia ?

Gambia is best for singles. If I am to record an album I will have to go to Xippi or Studio 2000 in Dakar , Senegal .

Do you get support from other male musicians apart from your brothers?

Most of them do express interest but I doubt if they are real about it. If you are going to help me, you help me as a fellow musician or because you wish to see me achieve something with my music. Some do have hidden motives and I I doubt if I will ever accept that with any man who wants to assist me.