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ON NOW : World on 3
Loudon Wainwright III in Session

World on 3 Lopa Kothari presents new world music and a studio session with Loudon Wainwright III.

Andy Kershaw

Image for Mauritania - The Festival of Nomad Music

Play now 105 mins

Mauritania - The Festival of Nomad Music

Duration:
1 hour, 45 minutes
First broadcast:
Sunday 29 May 2005

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.

Music and featured items

30 items
Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes

  • Fishermen’s port in Mauritania.

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

  • Music Played

  • Ooleya Mint Amartichitt.

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

  • Ooleya Mint Amartichitt live.

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

  • Music Played

  • Dramatic guitar-playing style.

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

  • Music Played

    • 00:18

      Dey Amartichitt A guitar illustration

    • 00:24

      Dey Amartichitt A guitar illustration

    • 00:25
      Image for Ooleya Mint Amartichitt

      Ooleya Mint Amartichitt Lawee lemama

  • Interview with Benoit Thiebergien

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

  • Toutou Mint Dendenni.

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

  • Music Played

    • 00:41

      Toutou Mint Dendenni Unknown

  • Nouakchott, Mauritania’s capital.

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

  • Music Played

    • 00:48

      Aslacus Why do people scatter?

  • Director of Aslacus interview.

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

  • Music Played

    • 00:51

      Aslacus Legend of the serpent

  • Med Salem Ould Meydahand.

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

  • Music Played

    • 00:54

      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.

  • Music Played

    • 01:01

      Med Salem Ould Meydah Aytou Taha (miracle)

  • Andy at a cassette shop.

    Andy at a cassette shop in Nouakchott.

  • Music Played

    • 01:09

      Jam Min Tekki (hip hop) Mare Hane

    • 01:14

      Jam Min Tekke Life Gang

  • Nema Mint Chwaikh.

    Andy meets the great Mauritanian singer Nema Mint Chwaikh.

  • Music Played

    • 01:17

      Nema Mint Chwaikh Making for Myself

  • Nema Mint Chwaikh interview.

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

  • Music Played

    • 01:28

      Nema Mint Chwaikh Seyni (my husband rejoices)

  • Aicha Mint Chigaly.concert.

    Andy drives to the concert of Aicha Mint Chigaly.

  • Music Played

    • 01:34

      Aicha Mint Chigaly Sawini (Andy Kershaw talking over the music)

    • 01:40

      Aicha Mint Chigaly Salaam

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