February 29, 2012

Amano Ag Issa & Tadiazt

 Tadiazt
Lalla
 I was invited to the house of Amano Ag Issa somewhere in Dar Naim where he has been for the past 10 days after leaving Bamako, Mali with all his family after their home was attacked due to the troubles in the north of the country between Tuaregs fighting for independence and the Malian army.
In 1995 when there where problems in Mali  he had seeked refuge in Mauritania and while in the camp the musical groupe Tartit was formed.
Today his group is know as Tadiazt and his formed by members of his family I had the pleasure to hear their beautiful music and share some hours with them. Hopefully they'll be able to find some work as they're not eligible for help unless they move to the refugee camps set in the border (more than 22 thousand touaregs have reached this camps in Mauritania).
You can listen to their music here and read their story told by one of the sons here.

February 22, 2012

Lodge du Maure Bleu, Diawling

 Matys learning about the tea ritual with Beidiya
Sylvie cooking the evening meal in her big tent

Wonderful two days at the "Parc National du Diawling". Birds and more birds, plenty of cows and camels (dromadaires), wild boars with their offspring and even a monkey not forgetting the big dinosaur like creatures lazing in the sun.
We slept at the Lodge du Maure Bleu in wonderful tents equipped with real beds and duvet covers, it was hard to get up early in the morning. And the food was delicious all prepared by Sylvie. 

February 18, 2012

night singing in Ouadane

 A very strong sand storm and very cold temperatures marked the Festival d'Anciennes villes in Ouadane in the month of february but that didn't stop the performers neither the public.
 Too busy at the moment hope to scan more images soon.