YOU know you’ve made it as a musician when your fans start offering you livestock and treasures.

As one of Africa’s greatest female singers, Rokia Traore has seen it all.

Treated as musical royalty in her native Mali, Rokia has been showered with gifts from her supporters – the ordinary men and women of this impoverished and troubled land on the edge of the Sahara. But she also has a burgeoning reputation in Europe – joining fellow Malians Toumani Diabaté, Mory Kanté, Ali Farka Touré, Salif Keïta and the Super Rail Band de Bamako in spreading the evocative sounds of her dusty homeland.

“Musicians have always had a position of respect in Mali, even in my case,” she says.

“I don’t sell enough records to make a living in Mali, but it’s interesting to see how people respect me and give me sheep, money and gold. They also thank me for what I am doing for Mali and they are shocked when I refuse their gifts. I feel I have done nothing to deserve them.”

Rokia is not just another African singer. Her music defies categorisation, embracing elements of Western pop, jazz and blues. That mix is inspired not just by the cultural cross currents of the Sahel but by a childhood spent travelling around with her diplomat father; her family lived in Saudia Arabia, Algeria, New York and Belgium as well as Mali.

“West Africa is a melting pot for different cultures and Mali is a blend of influences which altogether make an interesting mix especially for music,” she goes on.

“It is probably the most interesting musical culture in the world and music has a very important role. It is not just a leisure time activity; it is about listening to something that tells you what is right or wrong. Singers there have an important position; they are role models and are expected to be perfect.

“The audience don’t like songs that contain nothing.

“Just having a nice melody is not enough, songs must also mean something.

“The role of singers, or ‘griots’, in a country like Mali with no written tradition has always been very important. It is down to singers to pass on messages, preserving peace and freedom.

“Women used to sing and men play instruments. Girls used to learn songs from their mothers and boys learn to play from their fathers, and all society used to look after them so they didn’t need anything.

“I am from a family of nobles not ‘griots’ though, so I wasn’t supposed to sing.”

Rokia is speaking from her adopted home in the French city of Amiens, where she has lived with her children for the past three years since leaving the Malian capital Bamako.

Things have not gone well for Mali recently. A coup by mutinying soldiers, which deposed its president, has led to strife, sanctions and the loss of more than half the country, including the iconic outpost of Timbuktu, to nomadic Tuareg rebels fighting to establish their own autonomous state Azawad. This has only exacerbated existing problems caused by food shortages and rising prices.

“Because of the trouble in Mali I live in France,” she explains. “It is a very difficult time for Mali. It is not safe since the coup d’etat. We have an army in control and nobody knows what they are doing. Something bad can happen at any moment. I have travelled a lot there but I don’t feel good about being in situations that can get worse at any time.”

Her experiences in her troubled homeland have given her invaluable insight into what Africa needs and how the outside world can help. It has also, she says, made her grateful to the support being given to ordinary men and women by people like Oxford-based charity Oxfam.

To show her gratitude the multi award-winning singer joins a clutch of guests, artists and personalities on stage at the Oxford Playhouse on Sunday for Eight Stories High, an evening of storytelling, performances and talks to celebrate Oxfam’s 70th anniversary.

The event promises to be a moving affair, filled with tales of courage, passion, innovation and perspiration. The night will also see Sex and the City star and Oxfam Global Ambassador Kristin Davis as well as cattle farmer and Glastonbury Festival founder Michael Eavis sharing stories, and will feature contributions from journalists John Simpson, Lindsey Hilsum and Ian Hislop, his wife, the author Victoria Hislop, Harry Potter actress Bonnie Wright, Le Manoir aux Quat Saisons chef Raymond Blanc and Innocent Drinks founder Richard Reed, star of the new BBC3 series Be Your Own Boss. There will also be music from Ugandan dance company Tabu Flo.

Rokia’s Oxford appearance follows a busy summer which saw her taking to the rails on the Africa Express tour alongside Blur’s Damon Albarn, Paul McCartney and John Paul Jones.

“I have Malian roots and am African but I consider myself a European too,” she says. “You have to be what you are. My own personal life is a mix of two cultures, and so is my music.

“I write about all the things I am touched by. I sing about the pleasures of being free and independent whether you are a man or woman. I know freedom and am proud of that. I also have faith in Africa and in Africans’ ability to make it bloom.

“Everything you do should be aimed at making people’s lives better – by improving their conditions and their relations with others.

“I have been following the activities of Oxfam and when I heard that there was a possibility of performing for its anniversary I accepted. it is very important to support this kind of organisation which is working for the same things as I am.

“Singing for them is just a small contribution I can make.”

  • Eight Stories High takes place at Oxford Playhouse on Sunday. Tickets are £50 from the venue on 01865 305305, or from oxfam.org.uk/eight