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Outlook: The sisterhood of the sea shanty singers

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CROPPEDAll photos by Marzia Borracci .jpg

02/05/2024 GMT

The sisterhood of the sea shanty singers

BBC World Service - Outlook, The sisterhood of the sea shanty singers

The all-female sea shanty group that made a miracle

Naomi joined a sea shanty group when she was pregnant. But after a complex birth, her newborn struggled to survive. Naomi sang to him, not knowing how powerful that would be.

When Naomi was expecting her first first child, she joined an all-female singing group in the English county of Cornwall. The group was called Femmes de la Mer and they sang sea shanties. Their music became the soundtrack to Naomi's pregnancy.

All female singing groups weren't common but Claire Ingleheart, who founded the group, had decided to shake things up in the male dominated-world of sea shanties. Claire also wanted to raise awarness about the history of extraordinary sea-faring Cornish women and co-wrote new songs for them to sing together.  

Naomi sang to her growing son about powerful Cornish women and looked forward to becoming a mum. But his birth didn't go to plan. As she sat with her baby in hospital, Naomi began to realise the extraordinary power of the songs she was learning. 

Presenter: Emily Webb
Producer: Sarah Kendal

(Photo: Femmes de la Mer Credit: Marzia Borracci)

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