Terakaft is a gang of guitarists, in the same vein as Tinariwen. Nothing as… Read Full Bio ↴Terakaft is a gang of guitarists, in the same vein as Tinariwen. Nothing astonishing about that if you consider that Terakaft was founded by Kedou and Diara, two formative and historical guitarists from Tinariwen. Moreover Kedou accompanied Tinariwen to the very first Festival with the Desert by Chock-Essako in January 2001, and contributes four songs on their first album The Radio Tisdas Sessions. At that time Keddou decided to take a different path to Tinariwen, which is now famous in the four corners of the globe. He left to live for two years in Algeria, in Tindouf, Tamanrasset, and then for the same period in Libya, in the desert in the south of the country. Finally, he has returned to settle in Kidal, in Mali, to the great joy of his friends and Tuareg brothers.
Kedou is a celebrity in his own land, both thanks to his part in the history of the rebellion as to his songs. He has teamed up with Diara, one of the original members of Tinariwen, and one of the more "rock'n'roll" guitarists in the group, as well as two young guitarists, Sanou and Rhissa. It was at the Festival with the Desert of Essakane, in January a 2007, that Terakaft performed their first concert, following it with the Festival of the Camel of Tessalit, before going to Bamako, to record this first album, in four days, at the legendary Bogolan Studios.
Terakaft means "the caravan" in tamashek.

Djer Aman
Terakaft Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Ténéré war tat zenchegh
Arheqqat war teyyagh tidé-nnet
War taghimegh dagh madjrad idjan fal teklé-nnet
Har arteyan ghassan-nin ed tiblallen net
Arteyan d-azidan oumassan harat dagh tachné-nnet
Aïtma illalat ahi ad ensudu tihun-nnet
Neken sarsnat afaradj s-nekal dagh télé-nnet
Ad tessenad as tidet-in

As tarha-nin takrabbed temdé-nnet

War taghimegh dagh madjrad idjan fal teklé-nnet
Eré issanan dallol n-awen has newet tendé-nnet

Overall Meaning

The song "Djer Aman" by Terakaft depicts the struggle of the Tuaregs in the Ténéré region of the Sahara desert. The lyrics describe the pain and suffering of the people in the region where the war has caused destruction and displacement. The first verse talks about the Ténéré, the vast and barren desert that extends across the African continent, which is full of dangers and uncertainties. The people in this region have faced the consequences of war with brokenness and sorrow.

The second verse refers to the displaced people who have lost their homes and families due to the violence. The lyrics mention the Taghimegh, one of the Tuareg tribes, who have suffered the most in this conflict. The line "har arteyan ghassan-nin ed tiblallen net" talks about the people who have taken refuge in caves to escape the violence. The following line "arteyan d-azidan oumassan harat dagh tachné-nnet" refers to the hopelessness and despair felt by the people.

The song expresses the need for peace in the region and the hope for a better future. The last verse talks about the "newet tendé-nnet", which means the coming of a new era. It signifies the hope for a better tomorrow, where the people of the region can live in peace and harmony.

Line by Line Meaning

Ténéré war tat zenchegh
Ténéré, the desert, is not empty

Arheqqat war teyyagh tidé-nnet
It is full of life and spirits

War taghimegh dagh madjrad idjan fal teklé-nnet
Where the wind blows, it uncovers hidden treasures

Har arteyan ghassan-nin ed tiblallen net
The nomads roam with their herds of camels

Arteyan d-azidan oumassan harat dagh tachné-nnet
They cross the desert to reach their destination

Aïtma illalat ahi ad ensudu tihun-nnet
Sometimes they find water in unexpected places

Neken sarsnat afaradj s-nekal dagh télé-nnet
The sand dunes shift and change constantly

Ad tessenad as tidet-in
Travelers must be prepared

As tarha-nin takrabbed temdé-nnet
They must be ready to face any challenge

War taghimegh dagh madjrad idjan fal teklé-nnet
The wind uncovers hidden treasures in the desert

Eré issanan dallol n-awen has newet tendé-nnet
The sun sets over the horizon, bringing an end to the day