Formed in 1982, in strikingly unusual circumstances for a musical ensemble, Tinariwen blend ancient musical traditions with radical contemporary politics. Despite severe natural and man-made hardships, young Kel Tamashek exiles continued performing the traditional music of their Tuareg forebears in the southern Sahara while simultaneously fighting against the government of Mali.
Forced to seek an alternative to starvation and repression in drought-stricken Mali, many of these young nomads hoped to attain a better life by striking up what proved to be an uneasy alliance with Libya. The hoped-for aid in their struggle with the Mali government failed to materialize, but in the meantime some of the rebels had evolved a form of music that kept alive the music of their forefathers while simultaneously communicating radical political messages. This music is known as tishoumaren, music of the ishumar (the unemployed). Usually performed by groups of 30 and more instrumentalists and singers, tishoumaren acknowledges contemporary western music, especially rock, as well as other music forms prevalent in the Middle East, while never losing touch with the original ancient form. In some instances, players not only adapt traditional forms but also substitute modern instruments for the traditional lutes, flutes and one-string violins. The electric guitar in particular has become popular, even though circumstances demand the availability of portable generators.
The name chosen by this band, Tinariwen, means empty places, thus maintaining a further link to the vast desert regions of the southern Sahara. The musicians include Said Ag Ayad, Alhassane Ag Touhami, Eyadou Ag Leche, Ibrahim Ag Alhabib, Abdallah Ag Lamida, Abdallah Ag Alhousseyni and Bassa Walet Abdoumou.
The music itself is spare and haunting, an aural reflection of those same open spaces. The lyrics of their songs, perhaps more accurately termed sung poetry, carry outspoken political thought that draws attention not only to repression in Mali, but also to the enforced exile of many and the continuing struggle for self-determination of the Tuareg nomads. Song structures are many and varied and include elemental call-and-response patterns as well as (to western ears) discordant notes that call to mind the blue notes favoured by western blues and jazz players overlaid upon a solid four-beat rhythmic foundation that is itself uncommon to the region although compatible with much western popular music.
Tinariwen's first recordings were to cassette, sales and even possession of which carried harsh penalties in Mali and Algeria. In the early 00s, availability of albums encouraged more widespread awareness of the music and its underlying political messages.
Aden Osamnat
Tinariwen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Girls are jealous
Sobkh n allah sobkh n allah
Aytma elmedat s tiliaden osamnat
Tiliaden osamnat alistiqhlal wer lennat
Erganshnat dagh gharman wer lennat
Wer idjrwanat a arhanet
The Tuareg band Tinariwen is known for their powerful and evocative lyrics that express the struggles, joys, and sorrows of their desert community. "Tiliaden Osamnat" is no exception - the lyrics of this song speak about the jealousy and bitterness that can arise between women in a patriarchal society.
The opening line, "Les filles sont jalouses" ("Girls are jealous"), sets the tone for the whole song. The next line, "Sobkh n allah sobkh n allah" ("May God have mercy, may God have mercy"), suggests that the singer is aware of the destructive nature of jealousy and is imploring God to intervene.
The rest of the song is a series of verses that describe different aspects of this jealousy. The chorus, "Aytma elmedat s tiliaden osamnat / Tiliaden osamnat alistiqhlal wer lennat / Erganshnat dagh gharman wer lennat / Wer idjrwanat a arhanet," repeats several times throughout the song and roughly translates to "The daughters of Osamnat are jealous / Jealous over freedom and men / Jealousy of clothes and jewelry / And with it they curse and lament."
Through these lines, the singer is painting a picture of a society in which women are pitted against each other, fighting over limited resources and the attention of men. The words "alistiqhlal" (freedom) and "gharman" (clothes and jewelry) suggest that these women are competing for both material possessions and the right to make their own choices.
Overall, "Tiliaden Osamnat" is a powerful commentary on the ways in which jealousy and bitterness can tear apart a community - especially one that is already struggling against marginalization and oppression.
Line by Line Meaning
Sobkh n allah sobkh n allah
Oh my God, Oh my God
Aytma elmedat s tiliaden osamnat
I ask for the blessing of the families of the tribe of Osamnat
Tiliaden Osamnat alistiqhlal wer lennat
The people of Osamnat seek independence and freedom
Erganshnat dagh gharman wer lennat
They suffer from poverty and deprivation
Wer idjrwanat a arhanet
And suffer from oppression and injustice
Writer(s): Ibrahim Ag Alhabib
Contributed by Reagan E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@MrSoadphoenix
Blessed souls !!
@shinigamidziri3730
Are you guys Touareg?
@massiaitali7326
shinigamidziri 43 yes they are