README.md

---
library_name: transformers
base_model: SparkAudio/Spark-TTS-0.5B
tags:
- text-to-speech
- tts
- spark-tts
- llm-based-tts
- bambara
- african-languages
- Open-Source
- Mali
- MALIBA-AI
- text-generation-inference
- transformers
- unsloth
language:
- bm
language_bcp47:
- bm-ML
model-index:
- name: bambara-tts
  results:
  - task:
      name: text-to-speech 
      type: speech-synthesis
    metrics:
    - name: Subjective Quality
      type: MOS
      value: "4.2/5.0"
    - name: Speaker Similarity
      type: similarity
      value: "High"
    - name: Naturalness
      type: naturalness
      value: "4.1/5.0"
pipeline_tag: text-to-speech
license: cc-by-nc-sa-4.0
---





# MALIBA-AI Bambara TTS 🇲🇱

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[![Model architecture](https://img.shields.io/badge/Model_Arch-Spark--TTS-lightgrey)](#model-architecture)
| [![Model size](https://img.shields.io/badge/Params-500M-lightgrey)](#model-architecture)
| [![Language](https://img.shields.io/badge/Language-bm-lightgrey)](#datasets)
| [![License](https://img.shields.io/badge/License-CC--BY--NC--SA--4.0-blue)](#license)

## Model Overview

This model provides neural text-to-speech synthesis for Bambara (Bamanankan), the most widely spoken language in Mali. The model supports 10 authentic Bambara speakers and produces high-fidelity audio without requiring separate vocoder models. It serves over 14 million Bambara speakers across West Africa with native-level pronunciation and cultural authenticity.

- Try our live demo on [Hugging Face Spaces](https://huggingface.co/spaces/MALIBA-AI/BambaraText2Speech)
- **Available Speakers:** Adama, Moussa, Bourama, Modibo, Seydou, Amadou, Bakary, Ngolo, Ibrahima, Amara


## Quick Start

### Installation


```bash
  pip install maliba-ai==1.1.1b0
```

For development installations:

```bash
pip install git+https://github.com/MALIBA-AI/bambara-tts.git
```
with uv (faster)

```bash
    uv pip install maliba-ai==1.1.1b0
```

```bash
    uv pip install git+https://github.com/MALIBA-AI/bambara-tts.git
```
Note : if you are in colab  please install those additional dependencies : 

```
    !pip install --no-deps bitsandbytes accelerate xformers==0.0.29.post3 peft trl triton cut_cross_entropy unsloth_zoo
    !pip install sentencepiece protobuf huggingface_hub hf_transfer
    !pip install --no-deps unsloth
```

### Basic Usage

```python
from maliba_ai.tts.inference import BambaraTTSInference
from maliba_ai.config.settings import Speakers

tts = BambaraTTSInference()

text = "Aw ni ce. I ka kɛnɛ wa?"  
audio = tts.generate_speech(text=text, speaker_id=Speakers.Bourama, output_path="greeting.wav")

```

Note: More detail : https://github.com/sudoping01/bambara-tts/blob/main/README.md

## Technical Specifications

### Architecture
- **Base Model**: Spark-TTS (LLM-based TTS)
- **Foundation**: Qwen2.5-based language model
- **Parameters**: ~500M
- **Audio Format**: 16kHz, 16-bit PCM mono
- **Language Support**: Bambara (bm-ML)


## Model Input/Output

### Input
- **Text**: Bambara text in standard orthography
- **Speaker ID**: Choice of 10 available speakers
- **Parameters**: Temperature, top-k, top-p (optional)

### Output
- **Audio**: 16kHz mono WAV format
- **Quality**: Professional-grade speech synthesis

## ⚠️ Known Limitations

### Language Mixing
- **Issue**: Poor performance with French-Bambara code-switching
- **Recommendation**: Use pure Bambara text for optimal results

### Numeric Content
- **Issue**: Suboptimal handling of Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3...)
- **Recommendation**: Convert numbers to written Bambara words

## ⚠️ Disclaimer

This model provides high-fidelity Bambara speech synthesis intended for research, education, and community applications. The following uses are **strictly forbidden**:

- **Voice Impersonation**: Do not clone voices without explicit consent
- **Deceptive Content**: Do not generate misleading or fraudulent audio
- **Illegal Activities**: Do not use for any unlawful purposes

By using this model, you agree to uphold ethical standards and legal responsibilities. We **are not responsible** for any misuse and firmly oppose unethical usage of this technology.

If you have concerns about potential misuse or need guidance on ethical applications, please contact us at ml.maliba.ai@gmail.com

## Impact & Mission

Part of MALIBA-AI's mission: **"No Malian Left Behind by Technological Advances"**

- **14+ Million Speakers**: Serving Bambara speakers across West Africa
- **Digital Inclusion**: Breaking language barriers in technology
- **Cultural Preservation**: Supporting Mali's linguistic heritage
- **Community Empowerment**: Enabling local innovation and development


## License

**CC BY-NC-SA 4.0** - Non-commercial use only due to Spark-TTS base model licensing.

### Key Terms
- ✅ Research, education, and personal use
- ✅ Attribution required
- ✅ Share-alike derivatives
- ❌ Commercial use without license

For commercial licensing: ml.maliba.ai@gmail.com

## Citation

```bibtex
@software{maliba_ai_bambara_tts,
  title={MALIBA-AI Bambara Text-to-Speech: Open-Source High-Quality TTS for Bambara Language},
  author={MALIBA-AI},
  year={2025},
  url={https://huggingface.co/MALIBA-AI/bambara-tts}
}
```

---

**MALIBA-AI: Empowering Mali's Future Through Community-Driven AI Innovation**

*"No Malian Language Left Behind"*
---

**Contact Information:**
- Website: [maliba-ai.org](https://maliba-ai.org)
- Email: ml.maliba.ai@gmail.com
- GitHub: [MALIBA-AI](https://github.com/MALIBA-AI)
- HuggingFace: [MALIBA-AI](https://huggingface.co/MALIBA-AI)