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.
Imidiwan Ma Tennam
Tinariwen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Mes amis que dites-vous?
Imidiwan ma tennam dagh awa dagh enha semmen
Tenere den tas-tennam enta dagh wam toyyam teglam
Aqqalanagh aljihalat tamattem dagh illa assahat
Tenere den tossamat lat medden eha sahat
Aksan kallan s tandallat taqqal enta tisharat
In Tinariwen's song "Imidiwan Ma Tennam", the singer is addressing their friends and asking for their opinions. The title of the song, "Imidiwan Ma Tennam", translates to "My Friends, I Do Not Forget" in the Tamasheq language of the Tuareg people. The lyrics describe the struggle of the Tuareg people, who are a nomadic ethnic group that have faced discrimination and violence from various governments and rebel groups in the Saharan region.
The first verse describes the harsh environment of the desert, and how the singer and their people are accustomed to living through it. The second verse refers to the conflicts and wars that the Tuareg people have faced, and how their resilience and determination have helped them survive. The final verse speaks about the importance of communication and unity among the Tuareg people.
Overall, the song is a reflection on the identity and struggles of the Tuareg people, and an affirmation of their perseverance and community.
Line by Line Meaning
What have you got to say my friends?
Mes amis, que dites-vous?
Imidiwan ma tennam dagh awa dagh enha semmen
Mes ami(e)s, que devons-nous faire pour survivre?
Tenere den tas-tennam enta dagh wam toyyam teglam
Le désert est notre maison, il nous faut le protéger.
Aqqalanagh aljihalat tamattem dagh illa assahat
L'ignorance est un fléau, nous devons apprendre.
Tenere den tossamat lat medden eha sahat
Le désert est notre professeur, nous devons l'écouter.
Aksan kallan s tandallat taqqal enta tisharat
Les étoiles sont nos guides, nous devons les suivre.
Aqqalanagh aljihalat tamattem dagh assahat
L'ignorance est notre ennemi, nous devons la vaincre.
Contributed by Madison P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@alavaification
Imidiwan ma tennam dagh awa dagh enha semmen
Tenere den tas-tennam enta dagh wam toyyam teglam
Aqqalanagh aljihalat tamattem dagh illa assahat
Tenere den tossamat lat medden eha sahat
Aksan kallan s tandallat taqqal enta tisharat
Aqqalanagh aljihalat tamattem dagh assahat
@nihil3629
I love this kind of songs. My father showed them to me <3 We vibin' to them. Wishes from austria :)
@fatehguedouar8989
War Ihr Vater schon einmal in Südalgerien?
@sinanhergul7231
Selam from İstanbul. I love this song. Whenever I listen, I get up to dance like Alhassane Ag Touhami. :)
@alavaification
Imidiwan ma tennam dagh awa dagh enha semmen
Tenere den tas-tennam enta dagh wam toyyam teglam
Aqqalanagh aljihalat tamattem dagh illa assahat
Tenere den tossamat lat medden eha sahat
Aksan kallan s tandallat taqqal enta tisharat
Aqqalanagh aljihalat tamattem dagh assahat
@ZerguiThamerr
c'est un autre monde .... Tinariwen !
@omeromer4319
أخوكم من السودان أحب هذه الفرق علا الرغم أنني لا أفهم اللغه الامازيغيه
@AbdulrahamanAliyu-or6tm
Very nicely this song 🎣🎣🎣
@eugeniyerer1566
Very impressibly!!!Very relaxing!!!
@timurtamerlan3671
Великолепно! :-)
@samianir3554
imidiwen matnam? sifaw du maroc vive les Amazighs par tout au monde