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Mauritania - The Festival of Nomad Music

Andy Kershaw visits the Festival of Nomad Music in Mauritania, a country on the western fringe of the Sahara Desert that is rarely visited by international tourists or businessmen.

Andy Kershaw visits the Festival of Nomad Music in Mauritania, a country on the western fringe of the Sahara Desert that is rarely visited by international tourists or businessmen.

Twenty years ago its people were 80% nomadic, but its society is now changing dramatically, and is starting to open up to the world. Andy encounters an extraordinarily rich musical culture, both at the festival and beyond, with world-class musicians that the world hasn't yet discovered.

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1 hour, 45 minutes

Last on

Sun 4 Jun 2006 22:15
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 3

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22/05/2005

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19/06/2005

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Music and featured items

  • Fishermen’s port in Mauritania.

    Andy Kershaw introduced the programme at the fishermen’s port in Mauritania.

    Duration: 08:36

  • Music Played

    • Ooleya Mint Amartichitt

      Bismillah (Andy talks over the music)

  • Ooleya Mint Amartichitt.

    Andy talks to nomad singer Ooleya Mint Amartichitt about life as a nomad in the desert.

    Duration: 04:23

  • Ooleya Mint Amartichitt live.

    Mauritani nomad singer Ooleya Mint Amartichitt live at the festival of nomad music.

    Duration: 04:56

  • Music Played

    • Ooleya Mint Amartichitt

      Chwey chewey

  • Dramatic guitar-playing style.

    Andy introduces the dramatic guitar-playing style unique to Mauritania.

    Duration: 07:00

  • Music Played

    • Dey Amartichitt

      A guitar illustration

    • Dey Amartichitt

      A guitar illustration

    • Ooleya Mint Amartichitt

      Lawee lemama

  • Interview with Benoit Thiebergien

    Andy talks to Benoit Thiebergien, the director of the festival of nomad music.

    Duration: 09:20

  • Toutou Mint Dendenni.

    Andy Kershaw introduces us to Toutou Mint Dendenni who sings and plays the Ardin.

    Duration: 04:35

  • Music Played

    • Toutou Mint Dendenni

      Unknown

  • Nouakchott, Mauritania’s capital.

    Andy Kershaw tells us the history of Nouakchott, Mauritania’s capital

    Duration: 03:27

  • Music Played

    • Aslacus

      Why do people scatter?

  • Director of Aslacus interview.

    Andy interviews the director of Aslacus, a group trying to preserving the Soninke culture.

    Duration: 03:28

  • Music Played

    • Aslacus

      Legend of the serpent

  • Med Salem Ould Meydahand.

    Andy with one of Mauritania’s most famous singers, Med Salem Ould Meydahand.

    Duration: 08:40

  • Music Played

    • Med Salem Ould Meydah

      Medir (the liege's song)

  • Mauritani music and the blues

    Med Salem Ould Meydahand explains the connection between Mauritani music and the blues.

    Duration: 08:39

  • Music Played

    • Med Salem Ould Meydah

      Aytou Taha (miracle)

  • Andy at a cassette shop.

    Andy at a cassette shop in Nouakchott.

    Duration: 10:58

  • Music Played

    • Jam Min Tekki (hip hop)

      Mare Hane

    • Jam Min Tekke

      Life Gang

  • Nema Mint Chwaikh.

    Andy meets the great Mauritanian singer Nema Mint Chwaikh.

    Duration: 07:30

  • Music Played

    • Nema Mint Chwaikh

      Making for Myself

  • Nema Mint Chwaikh interview.

    Nema Mint Chwaikh talks about the way she has changed and elevated Mauritanian music.

    Duration: 08:07

  • Music Played

    • Nema Mint Chwaikh

      Seyni (my husband rejoices)

  • Aicha Mint Chigaly.concert.

    Andy drives to the concert of Aicha Mint Chigaly.

    Duration: 12:53

  • Music Played

    • Aicha Mint Chigaly

      Sawini (Andy Kershaw talking over the music)

    • Aicha Mint Chigaly

      Salaam

Broadcasts

  • Sun 29 May 2005 22:15
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 3
  • Sun 4 Jun 2006 22:15
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 3