They’re being dubbed ‘the spiritual sons of Tinariwen’ – the original exponents of the ‘Ishumar rock’ (Touareg rebel music), and right from the first notes of this debut album, it’s obvious who they’ve modelled their music on. While Tinariwen have four lead vocalists and writers, Tamikrest’s Ousmane Ag Mossa is the sole featured singer and songwriter. His lyrics follow much the same themes as theirs, though, focussing most often on the Touareg struggle for self determination as an oppressed group in contemporary Malian society.
Adounia Mahegagh
Tamikrest Lyrics
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Èghlal falass mazwan harkouk bass midou (2)
Adouniya mahédjagh y'oulhin ibass izihou (1)
Èghlal falas mazwan harkouk bass midou X (2)
Idja sari s'achal awatay fal itiki
Ehad sifodaq s'inizdjam har imdou X (2)
Adouniya mahédjagh y'oulhin ibass izihou
Èghlal falas mazwan harkouk bass midou X (2)
Èghlal falas mazwan harkouk bass midou X(2)
Adouniya mahédjagh y'oulhin ibass izihou
Èghlal falas mazwan harkouk bass midou X(2)
The lyrics of Tamikrest's song "Adounia Mahegagh" are in Tamasheq, a Berber language spoken in the Saharan region of North Africa. The title translates to "This World is Cursed" and the song touches on themes such as the struggle for survival, the despair that comes from poverty, and the harshness of the desert climate. The opening stanza, "Adouniya mahédjagh y'oulhin ibass izihou," which is repeated several times throughout the song, means "This world is cursed, and the people are suffering."
The second line, "Èghlal falass mazwan harkouk bass midou," can be interpreted in various ways but can be understood as "The shining moon has disappeared, leaving us in the darkness of the night." This creates a sense of isolation and abandonment. The third line, "Idja sari s'achal awatay fal itiki," means "The wind is blowing fiercely, and we have nothing to protect us from it." This line represents the struggle against natural forces that are beyond people's control.
In the fourth line, "Ehad sifodaq s'inizdjam har imdou," Tamikrest sings about a single horse that is struggling to walk in the sand. The line can be interpreted to represent the difficulties of life. The song continues to address the harsh realities of life in the desert, such as poverty and the struggle to survive. The repeated chorus emphasizes the titular phrase "Adouniya mahédjagh y'oulhin ibass izihou," conveying the idea that the world is an unforgiving place and life is a constant challenge.
Line by Line Meaning
Adouniya mahédjagh y'oulhin ibass izihou (1)
The world is a spinning top that spins on its own axis.
Èghlal falass mazwan harkouk bass midou (2)
The wind blows, the sand swirls, and time passes.
Idja sari s'achal awatay fal itiki
The traveler comes to a halt, water is scarce in these parts.
Ehad sifodaq s'inizdjam har imdou X(2)
One knife, one gun, each with its own purpose.
Adouniya mahédjagh y'oulhin ibass izihou
The world is a spinning top that spins on its own axis.
Èghlal falas mazwan harkouk bass midou X(2)
The wind blows, the sand swirls, and time passes.
Adouniya mahédjagh y'oulhin ibass izihou
The world is a spinning top that spins on its own axis.
Èghlal falas mazwan harkouk bass midou X(2)
The wind blows, the sand swirls, and time passes.
Adouniya mahédjagh y'oulhin ibass izihou
The world is a spinning top that spins on its own axis.
Èghlal falas mazwan harkouk bass midou X(2)
The wind blows, the sand swirls, and time passes.
Writer(s): Ousmane Ag Mossa
Contributed by Cole C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.