The exiled Festival au Désert (Festival in The Desert) was one of the most unique music and cultural celebrations in modern history, born from the deep traditions of the Tuareg people of the Sahara. These African nomads, who have roamed the desert for centuries, have always practiced coming together annually for gatherings called Takoubelt in Kidal or Temakannit in Timbuktu.

These meetings were not just a social reunion—they were a reunion for conflict resolution, storytelling, music, and cultural exchange. These age-old traditions became the foundation for this festival.

The three-day festival first began in 2001 in Tin-Essako, Kidal. It was an interesting blend of the Tuareg's rich traditions and modernity, offering an opportunity to experience the desert's culture through its people.

Over the years, the festival evolved from being a nomadic celebration to finding a more permanent home in Essakane near Timbuktu in 2003. This allowed organizers to build infrastructure and better accommodate the growing interest from both local and international audiences.

As The Flame of Peace marked the end of the conflict between the Tuareg and the Malian government in the late 1990s, the Tuareg band Tinariwen, who famously met at a military training camp, went for a performance in Angers, France, in 2000. There, they met and collaborated with the French band Lo’Jo. This unexpected linkup in Angers led to the creation of the first Festival au Désert in January 2001.

Over the years, the festival has seen an impressive lineup of performers from across the continent and the globe including, legendary Malian musicians like Ali Farka Touré, Wassoulou queen Oumou Sangaré, and ngoni master Bassekou Kouyaté, Khaira Arby, and international artists and bands such as Josh Dibb of Animal Collective, the Black Fire band and Lionel Brouet of Led Zeppelin.

Besides the location, the temperature, and the scenery, another fascinating experience about the festival is the adventure of getting there. For nomads, it might mean weeks of travel on camelback to get to the festival. At the same time, tourists arrive via Bamako airport, enduring a grueling 2-3-day journey over bumpy desert roads, followed by a ferry ride along the Niger River. The effort only heightens the festival’s appeal—music under star-lit skies, surrounded by endless dunes, and a deep connection to the traditions of the Sahara.

Despite the cultural significance, the Festival au Désert faced an abrupt halt in 2012 due to the escalating security situation in Mali.

At first, kidnappings by extremist groups affected the number of attendees, and the eventual occupation of Timbuktu by Tuareg separatists and Islamist factions three days after the 12th edition forced the halt of the festival. War broke out in Mali. The Tuareg were waging their third rebellion.

In the grim turn of events, the moderate Tuareg were overshadowed by radical Islamist groups who gained control. They imposed strict bans on alcohol and tobacco, placed severe restrictions on women, prohibited music—which is an integral part of Malian culture—and filled the airwaves with Quranic verses. Additionally, they threatened local artists, including Khaira Arby.

The festival attempted a revival in 2014 and 2015, but the region's instability made it impossible to regain footing. However, the legacy of this captivating festival continues to shine globally, symbolizing the Tuaregs' resilience and the transformative power of music.

Although the desert may no longer echo with the sounds of this enchanting festival, the spirit of the Festival au Désert lives on in the music, stories, and experiences of those who performed there and the audiences who were fortunate enough to experience it.

A unique three-day festival deep in the heart of the Sahara, where culture meets modernity.

Festival au Désert —The Festival of Peace

A unique three-day festival deep in the heart of the Sahara, where culture meets modernity.

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