As a child, Menwar (nee Stéphano Honoré) used a cigar box, wooden handle and nylon cord to build his first banjo. The Mauritian percussionist and singer continues to experiment with unusual sounds and unlikely materials. He is a pioneer of modern sega (the traditional music of Reunion, Mauritius and the Seychelles), founding the group Sagaï in the 1980s, and a leading player of the ravanne (a tambourine-like instrument). In 2006, nearly 30 years since his musical debut, Menwar released his fourth album, Ay Ay Lolo. He was named artist of the year by Radio France Internationale that same year.