Eghass Malan

Fatou Seidi Ghali and her group presented their first studio album in 2017 with traditional songs of the Tuareg people, recorded in a modern studio using an electric guitar. All the group members are from Illighadad, a remote commune in central Niger, on the edge of the Sahara. The village can only be reached through the desert. It lacks developed infrastructure, electricity, and running water. But what is lacking in material wealth is compensated by the ancient and strong traditions of the people living in these areas. The surrounding rural area has been home to hundreds of nomadic families living in the desert for centuries.

The music that resonates in this area is known as "tende." The style is named after a drum made of goat skin stretched over a wooden frame. Like the surrounding nature, the songs find their expressiveness in simplicity. They often consist of just a few elements, including vocals, hand claps, and percussion. The songs are dedicated to the village, love, and ancestors, and are performed by women. Traditionally, all young girls from nomadic camps sing songs during celebrations and pass the time on late nights during the rainy season.

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