Algerian Radio
The artist Hasna El Bacharia, born Hosni Hasniat, who passed away on May 1, 2024, will be remembered as a unique figure in the Diwane musical and choreographic tradition. Known by the evocative nickname "The Barefoot Diva of Diwane" due to her shoe-less performances on national and international stages, her legacy remains etched in the collective memory.
Indeed, she stands as a pioneer, the only woman to achieve remarkable mastery of the goumbri, the emblematic string instrument central to Diwane music, which for centuries was strictly reserved for male masters known as mâalems.
An iconic figure of female Diwane and a talent of exceptional caliber, she received her very first oud (luth) in the early 1970s from the late moudjahid and former Minister of the Interior, Ahmed Medeghri. While she mastered several instruments with brilliance, including the harmonica, she chose to dedicate her entire artistic career to the Diwane genre.
Through her original compositions, she gained national and international renown. Despite this global success, she led a modest life in her hometown of Bechar, traveling frequently for artistic performances across Algeria and abroad.
A remarkable ambassador of female Diwane, she was decorated in 2017 with the National Order of Merit medal at the rank of "Achir", a distinction awarded to literary figures, artists, researchers, and academics who have significantly contributed to the prestige of the country and its cultural heritage.
She captivated music lovers in Algeria and beyond with her music, her singing inspired by the "bradj" repertoire of Diwane, her enchanting voice, and her authentic personality. "While staying true to herself, she established herself as a singular artist," notes musician and percussionist Noureddine Rahou, who collaborated with her for many years on stage.
To commemorate her legacy, a vibrant tribute will be paid to her during the Cultural and Artistic Days of Diwane Music and Dance, scheduled for May 12–14 at the "Kadi Mohamed" House of Culture in Bechar.
Hasna El Bacharia, the author and composer of the famous song "El-Djazair Djawhara", was also the subject of the documentary film "The Desert Rocker" (La Rockeuse du désert), directed by the Algerian-Canadian filmmaker Sarah Nacer, which retraced her work and artistic journey.
Born on June 28, 1950, in Bechar, she passed away on May 1, 2024, at the Tourabi Boudjemâa Hospital in her hometown.
