Nio Far is a music and documentary project by Ben Aylon featuring Baye Dame Bou Yaye, taking place in Senegal, West Africa.
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Nio Far is a core value in Senegalese culture, meaning "We Are Together." In their project, Ben Aylon and Baye Dame offer a new prayer through music, bringing together women and men from Muslim, Christian, and Jewish backgrounds. It embodies a message of peace, curiosity, respect, and empathy, aiming to inspire others by living and manifesting the values it promotes.

The project's true beauty lies in how each faith's musical character creates space for the other to flourish. When a Sufi Muslim Zikr group joins a Christian choir in their church to praise Allah together, it creates a powerful testament to interfaith harmony. The project gains deeper significance through its production by a Jewish-Israeli musician who has devoted his life to Senegalese traditions, completing a profound circle of cultural and spiritual connection.

Well-established and respected by Senegal’s top artists and master drummers, Ben has collaborated with some of the country's most influential figures. As an "outsider" with a profound understanding and respect for tradition, Ben brings a fresh perspective that blends ancient and modern elements of Senegalese music.

Baye Dame is a rising Sufi singer holding ceremonies all around Senegal, consistently featuring collaboration between women and men, highlighting the equal and vital contributions each makes to the music and overall ceremony. This approach is uncommon in traditional Islamic practices; however, Sufi spirituality embraces a broader perspective, bringing women and men together to sing and dance.

Ben has documented his experiences and work in Senegal for the last 15 years. As part of the album release, an online documentary series is being produced, allowing the audience to see and feel the musicians, the scenes, and the intimate stories that live behind the chants and rhythms.

The musicians who take part in the creation are:

Baye Dame Bou Yaye - Lead Singer
Ben Aylon - Xalam, Percussion, Producer
Aly Ndiaye Rose - Percussion

Awladi Zikr:
Dada Sy, Amy Thiam, Thiate Diasse, Maryam Sarr, Papa Faye
Abdou Fatta Tine, Moussa Kante, Magueye Gueye

Chorale St. Eugene De Mazenod:
Loulou Mendy (Choir Master)
Levi Nicolas, Philippe Mendy, Serge Itoo Diamé, David Sebé, Alex Thiaré, Raphaël Sarr
Emma Coly, Mado Lopy, Eléonore Carvalho, Elie Ndiaye, Flora Diatta, Léontine Sadio

‍Chorale La Colombe:
Bernard Lopez Robald (Choir Master)
Bass - Roland Sagna, Jean Pierre King
Tenor - Luc Chambaz, Maurice Sagne, Emmanuel Sarr
Alto - Madeleine Diouf, Marie Jeanne Barboza,
Soprano - Santa Maria, Jeanne D'arc Ndiaye, Madeleine Ndour