The Biggest Music Festival in Africa: le Festival au Desert, Mali
Adventures in Mali
Le Festival au Desert, the Festival of the Desert, is held annually in the dunes of the Sahara Desert not far from Tombouctou, Mali. The venue for many years has been the oasis of Essakane, approximately 65 rugged kilometers from Tombouctou. The festival features traditional Tuareg and celebrated Malian musicians as well as groups from other West African countries.
Noted musicians in attendance include Tinariwen, the Tuareg group from Tombouctou that gained international notoriety with their performance during the debut of the festival in 2001. Salif Keita, Oumou Sangare, Habib Koite, the late Ali Farka Toure and his son Vieux Farka Toure are just a few of the shinning stars who delight the multi cultural international audience.
The idea for the festival took root in 1996 during a time when 3,000 guns were burned in the “Flame of Peace” to signify the end of fighting between peoples of the region. The idea was to combine the festival with the great traditional gathering of the nomadic Tuareg, or Tamashek people to promote the economy and develop the region. The name Tuareg applies to a Berber ethnic group and originated with the early explorers and historians of the region. The Tuareg call themselves Kel Tamasheq which translates to “Speakers of Tamasheq”. For centuries, traditional gatherings of these nomadic people have been celebrated with song, dance, poetry, ritual sword fighting, games, races and other customary entertainments.
For international visitors, the festival offers a wondrous occasion to be immersed in the world of the desert dwelling Tuareg. The three night festival provides a kaleidoscope of smells, sights and sounds that titillate the senses. Daytime activities include sampling delicious traditional food, shopping for treasures at the craft market, listening to impromptu concerts and participating in social interaction with people from local ethnic groups and visitor from around the globe.
The feature concerts begin in the evening and the impressive high tech sound system fills the starry nights with enchanting, rhythmic melody until the wee hours of the morning.
The Festval Stage
The Main Stage at the Festival au Desert
Festival au Desert, Essakane Mali
Tuaregs Arrive for Festival
Festival au Desert
Scene From the Festival
Tuareg Camel Riders at Festival
Grandstand View Tuareg Style
Camel Riders Feet
Close Up of a Riders Feet
Tuaregs on Camels
Festival au Desert
Decorations on a Camel Saddle
Beautiful Tassles Adorn a Camel Saddle
Camels at the Festival
Festival au Desert
Concert Goers
Enjoying the Concert from the Dunes
Enjoying the Concert from the Dunes
Festival au Desert
Faces in the Crowd
These Guys Seem Awed by the Crowd!
Faces at the Festival
Female Tuareg Performers
Local Photographer
Bedecked in Fashionable Ornaments
A Face in the Crowd
Female Tuareg Performer
A Face in the Crowd
A Woman in the Audience
Goods for Sale
Leather Bags for Sale in the Market Place
Modes of Transportation
Camels and 4 x 4s
Spectators
Some of the People Attending the Festival
Camels
Camels at the Festival
Tuareg Horse
Horse in the Crowd
Festival au Desert, Essakane Mali
Tuareg Saddle on Horse at Essakane
Splendid Tuareg Camel Rider
Festival Attendees Don Their Most Spendid Outfits
Festival au Desert, Essakane Mali
Tuareg Camel
Festival au Desert, Essakane Mali
Fulani Musicians
Traditional Tuareg Tent
Festival Goers Often Stay in Tents of this Style