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.
Chaghaybou
Tinariwen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Khaya la tassanin da tahi nay tlagay
Abagha magal n eta
Ar batu n chaghayboun da
Igan tin neg al wahhda
Khaya la n manin da
Khaya la n manin da
Khaya la chaghayboun da
Chaghayboun zereq i da
Rehegh imarra n eta
Ar tgu trourou ta
N dounya slakh ata
Achel n g bda tida
Tik ammas tjoukou
Tartayet, telengay
Odazen tassa adu
Taniri da n tenere n da
Tetezgi zegi n enda
Cherbkid n tilmamen
Ilmawin n aragh n in da
Chetma sent teza n in da
Tini dulza fela da
Khaya la n manin da
Khaya la n manin da
Khaya la chaghayboun da
Chaghayboun zereq i da
Rehegh imarra n eta
Ar tgu trourou ta
N dounya slakh ata
The lyrics of "Chaghaybou" by Tinariwen are in the Tamashek language, which is native to the Tuareg people of West Africa. The song opens with the line "Khaya la n manin da," which translates to "My dear brother," expressing a sense of familial love and unity. The following lines mention the "Abagha magal n eta," which refers to the great desert that the Tuareg people inhabit, and the "batu n chaghayboun," which refers to a type of bird that is known for its distinctive cry. The song continues with the refrain "Khaya la chaghayboun da," which is an ode to the bird's beauty and the vastness of the land around it.
The second verse of the song starts with "Achel n g bda tida," which roughly translates to "This world is not a small place." The lyrics then describe the beauty of the desert landscape, including the "tartayet" (dunes) and "odazen tassa" (boulders). The verse ends with a callout to the "Taniri da n tenere n da," or the "people of the desert," expressing solidarity among the Tuareg people.
The song overall is a celebration of Tuareg culture and its connection to the natural world. The vibrant imagery of the desert and the bird serves as a symbol of freedom and pride for the Tuareg people. The lyrics also express a sense of community and closeness between Tuareg individuals, highlighting the importance of familial and collective bonds in a desert environment.
Line by Line Meaning
Khaya la n manin da
Hey, my brother, my friend
Khaya la tassanin da tahi nay tlagay
Hey, my brother, I greet you with peace and love
Abagha magal n eta
A new dawn is rising
Ar batu n chaghayboun da
And with it comes the call of our people
Igan tin neg al wahhda
United in our struggle
Khaya la n manin da
Hey, my brother, my friend
Khaya la n manin da
Hey, my brother, my friend
Khaya la chaghayboun da
Hey, my brother, let's rise up!
Chaghayboun zereq i da
Let's bring justice to our land
Rehegh imarra n eta
Our hearts are full of hope
Ar tgu trourou ta
As we march forward
N dounya slakh ata
Towards a brighter future
Achel n g bda tida
The sound of our drums
Tik ammas tjoukou
Echoes through the mountains
Tartayet, telengay
Calling us to rise up and fight
Odazen tassa adu
With the rhythm of our souls
Taniri da n tenere n da
In the land of the Tenere
Tetezgi zegi n enda
Our people are rising up
Cherbkid n tilmamen
To reclaim our homeland
Ilmawin n aragh n in da
Our voices will be heard
Chetma sent teza n in da
As we sing of our struggle
Tini dulza fela da
And the sweetness of victory
Khaya la n manin da
Hey, my brother, my friend
Khaya la n manin da
Hey, my brother, my friend
Khaya la chaghayboun da
Hey, my brother, let's rise up!
Chaghayboun zereq i da
Let's bring justice to our land
Rehegh imarra n eta
Our hearts are full of hope
Ar tgu trourou ta
As we march forward
N dounya slakh ata
Towards a brighter future
Contributed by Dominic E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@joaolanita3000
Corrias com o vento
Que soprava o momento
Trazendo areias passadas
Fragmentos de rochas
Desfeitas, pousadas
Agora na roupa que vestes
No presente
Que vestes
No futuro
Que promete.
Que não se intormete
No que fazes agora.
A correr
A toda a hora,
Contra o tempo,
Que não demora,
Contra a vida que já foi
Contra a vida
Que é agora
@epilepticwizard4800
silicon valley playing my country's music!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@atil4
And what's your country?
@epilepticwizard4800
atil4 algeria
@atil4
Then like mine :) Even they created the band in Algeria, they are Touaregs from Mali. But I'd say that touaregs don't even have country since they are in many countries of Sahel many of them consider them selfs from the Sahara.
Take care weld bledi ;)
@atil4
PS: But for sure if they were to chose a country, that would Algeria, and Tamanrasset as their capital. Since most of Touaregs are Algerians, and they are respected in Algeria, but not in Mali for example.
@moexus
I spoke with Abdallah a band member after a concert, he told me tuaregs are from the sahara of Algeria since ancient times, they had kingdoms and such and they consider their roots tuaregs of algerian sahara.
@sissanioussama3548
تحية من قبيلة بني كيل شرق المغرب الى ناس تيناروين
@thelmasusanna
this might be one of my favorite music videos ever. you are beautiful people!
greeting from Portugal!
@ducrovisk
É lindo nos encontrar tão parecidos em uma canção
@AlfredoTalamantes
Silicon Valley brought me here. Songs has a nice beat. Hello from Houston.