Ninie Doniah

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]

Ninie Doniah
Birth name	Virginie Bezara
Born	1966/1967 Malagasy Republic
Died	19 November 2023 (aged 56)
Genres	Salegy
Occupation(s)	Singer, songwriter
Instrument	Voice

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]

Discography

Title	Released	Label	Tracks (Length)
Mitapolaka	2011	Studio ProRossy	12 (43'55")

See also

• Music of Madagascar