The following 3 video clips appear tired and well worn, but the footage is only 2 years old. Originally recorded to VHS, the audio is warped and the picture is faded. Another layer of quality was stripped away when I filmed this with an iphone 3gs as it played on an old TV. The final blow was the compression needed to accommodate the lethargic internet connection of Orange Mali.
The footage appears to be from a different time, and in many ways, it is.
A night of Dogon and Tuareg music at Tumast, the Tuareg Cultural Center in Bamako. Two ethnic groups that are often cited on opposite ends of the slave trade.
Some in this video would go on to be influential figures in MNLA’s rebellion. Others would oppose the rebellion and flee Mali for fear of being associated with it. This multicultural soiree is unimaginable two years after it took place.
The glare on the screen reveals a reflection of the same venue that hosted this night of music. It is empty now.
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Dancing to Amanar, Tuareg band from Kidal.
The son of a Tuareg minister dancing (like a Dogon) to Dogon musician Petit Goro.
For more on Amanar, a band that has scattered since the rebellion, I suggest reading this post from Sahel Sounds.
Tumast has a website here (french)
Thanks for sharing these videos. As sad as this made me feel, I can only imagine *your* feelings.
On a lighter note, the middle video made me recall something I saw in Kenya. One of the Maasai guys was dancing, with a big smile on his face, to some Kikuyu music on the radio. A Kikuyu turned and said to me, “The Maasai love Kikuyu gospel. We don’t know why.” 🙂
Loved these videos, very powerful!
Yeah brother. Good find man! Hope you;re well~
Benjamin