Tinariwen - Sastanàqqàm

Meet the pioneers of a new genre - the desert blues! Though not actually entirely new, the sound of Saharan music is finally traveling around the world and gaining some more recognition, and Tinariwen (loosely translated to “The Desert Boys”) have certainly done their share to help with this. 

The group itself has a fascinating history going back all the way to the 70s. The group is composed of Tuaregs, nomads of the Sahara. Many members have been part of the conflicts surrounding the Tuareg people, who seek to have autonomy and a place to call their own. As it stands currently, Tuaregs are spread out over several countries: Mali, Algeria, Niger, Burkina Faso, and Libya. 

Explaining the conflicts in this area, including the plight of the Tuareg people, is quite out of the scope of my little blog here. But it is important to note, as Tinariwen has consistently made these conflicts a recurring theme in their music: namely, wanting peace, and a place to call home. 

The group uses a fascinating blend of music common in the Sahara region with some Western crossover, and it creates a hypnotizing, rhythmic sound that pulls you in to lose yourself. It feels impossible to listen to without just closing your eyes and nodding along. 

Sastanàqqàm is a song dedicated to living in the desert, and how needing to adapt can shape a person. Knowing how to find water, find your way by charting the stars, and even how to use the wind to your advantage are essential for being a nomad in the desert. But the song ends with a question: living in the desert requires learning these skills, but what will it take to learn how to find peace and coexistence? Finally, the closing lyrics are about leaving the desert to travel the world, but promising to always return to the desert, perhaps to one day find the answer to this question.