Ebrima Cham, known as Barhama, hails from Sanchaba Suly Jobe in The Gambia, where music is a vital means of storytelling. Influenced by his mother, Fatou Cham, a market seller and storyteller, Ebrima learned that music transcends entertainment and serves as a vessel for memory and moral lessons. Despite his family’s non-musical background, the call to music became undeniable.
Named after the revered Islamic scholar Baye Niasse, he embraced music as a responsibility rather than a rebellion, recording a song in his honour. His turning point came when family members recognised his talent, encouraging him to create music that horons his future self.
Adopting the name Barhama, meaning “son of peace and life,” he grounded his work in activism, focusing on women’s rights and social issues through his songs.
Since beginning his career in 2016, Barhama has tackled themes like peace, climate change, and civic responsibility. He represented The Gambia at the UNFPA Summit in 2019 and organized a peace concert during a tense election period, uniting thousands. With his commitment to elevate Gambian music, Barhama has now formed a band called Sita Baa Band to share this rich heritage with the world, viewing music as a living responsibility that bridges roots and global sound.
In our quest for authentic representation as Africans, and particularly as Gambians, we believe our identity goes beyond mere names or sounds. It must resonate deeply with our history,
culture, and community traditions.
Sitaa Ba is a musical band dedicated to revitalizing traditional Gambian sounds while seamlessly blending them with global influences. This fusion not only honors our roots but also bridges connections with the world beyond, allowing us to share our rich heritage.
The baobab tree, or “sitaa baa“, serves as our emblem. More than just an African icon, it symbolises resilience, life, and the profound interconnectedness of nature and culture. These
majestic giants have stood for centuries, witnessing the ebb and flow of African history while providing sustenance, shelter, and spiritual guidance to countless communities.
As a band, we embody the essence of the baobab, drawing strength from our traditions while reaching out to create meaningful connections through music. We are not just a band; we are a living testament to the enduring power of our cultural legacy.
Barhama & Sita Baa Band are entering a new phase of development centred on new music, live performance, and building the project for international audiences.
Working alongside Jaalolu, the team is developing a long-term strategy that begins with new releases and an EP project, followed by wider catalogue development, international showcases, festival opportunities, and future touring.
The project will also explore merchandise, collaborations, cultural partnerships and opportunities that connect Barhama’s music with audiences across Africa and the diaspora.
More information coming soon.
“Harit” showcases Barhama alongside Sita Baa Band, bringing together his distinctive voice, message-driven songwriting, and the band’s live musical identity.
The track reflects the direction at the heart of the Sita Baa project: music grounded in Gambian culture and tradition while remaining open to contemporary influences and wider global audiences.
Through its accompanying music video, Harit offers another window into Barhama’s artistic world and the growing vision behind Barhama & Sita Baa Band as they take their music beyond The Gambia.
Barhama & Sita Baa Band are available for selected festivals, concerts, cultural events, showcases and international performance opportunities.
Their live presentation brings Barhama’s music together with the musicianship and energy of Sita Baa Band, creating a performance format suitable for both cultural and contemporary music stages.
Jaalolu pronounced “JA LO LU” is a Mandinka word meaning Musicians. We are one of the most culturally significant music publishing companies representing creatives in The Gambia. Until recently, being a musician in The Gambia is frowned upon as a viable career path for many people.