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 Mahitinam
Tinariwen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ah-ah, es ahí, la que anda por ahí
Quiere que lo mueva así, sí, sí, sí (Me gusta a mí)
On est en plein dans la fleur de l′âge salope
Je souhaite que tous ces haineux meurent de rage salope
J'suis dans l′ascenseur, je monte les étages salope
Je capte pas, je reçois pas les messages salope
Je ravitaille, j'suis chargé en drogue
Je suis ganté et cagoulé dans le bloc
J'me bats plus, j′suis calibré j′ai un Glock
J'me vé-sau, j′ai une quеtte-pla dans le froc
Ici le S du Z, j'еnvoie b′zef, j'les mets raides
J′suis loin comme Emirates
Coté à mille contre un sur Unibet
Dans l'rap j'sers comme un pull l′hiver
Nique tout l′univers, spliff toutes les une heure
Bientôt ma zik dans tous les Uber
OK j'agresse sec genre CR7 en mode Berserk
Too legit to quit, j′intercepte les MC serre-tête
Enlevez le balai dans vos derches, tu vas danser le jerk
Bang! J'suis calé dans le vaisseau
The lyrics to Tinariwen's song "Imidiwan Mahitinam" are in Tamasheq, a language spoken by the Tuareg people of the Sahara desert. The song reflects the struggles and experiences of the Tuareg people, who have faced marginalization and conflict in their homeland.
The opening lines, "Quiere que lo mueva así, sí, sí, sí / Ah-ah, es ahí, la que anda por ahí / Quiere que lo mueva así, sí, sí, sí (Me gusta a mí)" can be translated as "She wants me to move like this, yes, yes, yes / Ah-ah, she's out there / She wants me to move like this, yes, yes, yes (I like it)". These lines depict a desire for freedom and movement, both physically and emotionally.
The subsequent lyrics delve into themes of defiance and resilience. The lines "On est en plein dans la fleur de l′âge salope / Je souhaite que tous ces haineux meurent de rage salope" translate to "We are in the prime of our age, bitch / I wish all these haters die of rage, bitch". Here, the artist expresses a rejection of negativity and a determination to succeed despite any obstacles.
The lyrics also touch upon a sense of danger and a survival mentality. Lines such as "Je ravitaille, j'suis chargé en drogue / Je suis ganté et cagoulé dans le bloc" which mean "I resupply, I am loaded with drugs / I am gloved and masked in the block" suggest a heightened awareness of the risks and challenges faced in their environment.
Overall, "Imidiwan Mahitinam" conveys a mix of defiance, resilience, and a longing for freedom and self-expression in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
Quiere que lo mueva así, sí, sí, sí
They want me to move like this, yes, yes, yes
Ah-ah, es ahí, la que anda por ahí
Ah-ah, it's there, the one that walks around
Quiere que lo mueva así, sí, sí, sí (Me gusta a mí)
They want me to move like this, yes, yes, yes (I like it)
On est en plein dans la fleur de l'âge salope
We are in the prime of our age, you slut
Je souhaite que tous ces haineux meurent de rage salope
I wish all these haters die of rage, you slut
J'suis dans l'ascenseur, je monte les étages salope
I'm in the elevator, I'm going up the floors, you slut
Je capte pas, je reçois pas les messages salope
I don't understand, I don't receive the messages, you slut
Je ravitaille, j'suis chargé en drogue
I'm resupplying, I'm loaded with drugs
Je suis ganté et cagoulé dans le bloc
I'm gloved and masked in the block
J'me bats plus, j'suis calibré j'ai un Glock
I don't fight anymore, I'm calibrated, I have a Glock
J'me vé-sau, j'ai une quette-pla dans le froc
I'm safe, I have a knife in my pants
Ici le S du Z, j'envoie b′zef, j'les mets raides
Here in the S du Z, I send a lot, I make them stiff
J'suis loin comme Emirates
I'm far like Emirates
Coté à mille contre un sur Unibet
Bet a thousand to one on Unibet
Dans l'rap j'sers comme un pull l'hiver
In rap, I serve like a winter sweater
Nique tout l'univers, spliff toutes les une heure
Fuck the whole universe, smoke a spliff every hour
Bientôt ma zik dans tous les Uber
Soon my music will be in all Ubers
OK j'agresse sec genre CR7 en mode Berserk
OK, I aggressively attack like CR7 in Berserk mode
Too legit to quit, j'intercepte les MC serre-tête
Too legit to quit, I intercept the brainless MCs
Enlevez le balai dans vos derches, tu vas danser le jerk
Remove the broom from your asses, you're gonna dance the jerk
Bang! J'suis calé dans le vaisseau
Bang! I'm settled in the spaceship
Writer(s): Eyadou Ag Leche, Touhami Ag Alhassane
Contributed by Alice Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.