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.
Tenere Taqqim Tossam
Tinariwen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Jealous Desert
Tenere ti nin
tenere nekkim
taqqim tafuk tedu
Teyyed fel shinawan ashni
Itissed ehad hi tismesti
Tenere tekkus akan aman nes
Aman iman
Dagh aytman ghred tendam
S tenere taqqim tossam
Aghregh yallah kay s ammaqqar
Ayyetkalan tumast tartay
The lyrics of Tinariwen's Tenere Taqqim Tossam speak to the deep connection that the Tuareg people have with their desert homeland. The opening line, "Le désert est jaloux", or "Jealous Desert", sets the stage for the rest of the song, which is an ode to the vast, rugged, and often unforgiving landscape that the Tuareg call home. The next few lines use the Tuareg language to describe the beauty and power of the desert, with references to the "tenere" (desert) and "taqqim" (dunes) that evoke a sense of awe and reverence.
As the song continues, the lyrics take on a more introspective tone, with references to "aman iman" (water is life) and other phrases that speak to the struggle for survival in such a harsh environment. The final lines of the song, "Aghregh yallah kay s ammaqqar, Ayyetkalan tumast tartay", are more difficult to interpret, but seem to be a prayer for guidance and strength in the face of adversity.
Overall, Tenere Taqqim Tossam is a powerful tribute to the Tuareg people and their connection to the desert. The lyrics capture both the beauty and the challenges of life in this environment, and the song's driving beat and soaring guitar riffs create a sense of urgency and passion that is hard to ignore.
Line by Line Meaning
Le désert est jaloux
The desert is envious
Tenere ti nin
My desert, oh mine
tenere nekkim
My desert, my beloved
taqqim tafuk tedu
The night is full of anguish
Teyyed fel shinawan ashni
My heart is full of nostalgia
Itissed ehad hi tismesti
I confide in someone, they don't understand me
Tenere tekkus akan aman nes
Oh my desert, surrounded by those who have no mercy
Aman iman
Water is life (the Tuareg people's mantra)
Dagh aytman ghred tendam
The rooster's crowing awakens me
S tenere taqqim tossam
In this desert, where I was born
Aghregh yallah kay s ammaqqar
The wind carries the voice of my ancestors
Ayyetkalan tumast tartay
The mountains are my friends
Contributed by Emma F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@DenizYagiz
Jealous Desert - Tenere Taqhim Tossam
The desert is mine
Tenere, my homeland,
we come to you when the sun goes down,
leaving a trail of blood across the sky
which the black night wipes out
The desert is hot
and its water hard to find
water is life and soul
To all my brothers I say,
the desert is jealous!
oh, Tenere! a jealous desert!
why can't you see? you are a treasure!
I've seen the world, I love you better
oh, Tenere!
you are the treasure of my soul.
I cry out to God on High
to bring my people together
in unity
@DenizYagiz
Jealous Desert - Tenere Taqhim Tossam
The desert is mine
Tenere, my homeland,
we come to you when the sun goes down,
leaving a trail of blood across the sky
which the black night wipes out
The desert is hot
and its water hard to find
water is life and soul
To all my brothers I say,
the desert is jealous!
oh, Tenere! a jealous desert!
why can't you see? you are a treasure!
I've seen the world, I love you better
oh, Tenere!
you are the treasure of my soul.
I cry out to God on High
to bring my people together
in unity
@khaled_khaled845
Deniz Yağız 00213662818702 ♥
@prahacr1
Deniz Yağız Thank you for translation. I am not sure what the language is, but even without knowing the lyrics, the music speaks. Now.. as I listen, I do hear some English. Excellent. Peace. Rick
@DenizYagiz
Hi Rick Weidenborner you're welcome! Lyrics translation (made by Andy Morgan) is quoted from Tassili album cover. Lyrics are written with Tifinagh scripts in Tamasheq language (a Berber language spoken by the Tuaregs, according to Wikipedia). And yes, this desert blues is wonderful! Peace :-)
@user-cw4is2vr2c
tenere is mine tahoultenet harkouk
@ahmetozgenc7794
+Deniz Yağız Mümkünse Türkçesini yazabilirmisiniz :)
@rachidelarrade75
أحبكم في الله مجموعة إبراهيم تيناروين .. أخوكم من المغرب من قلب قباءل أيت باعمران إقليم سيدي علي إيفني .
@user-tl9ly3rt5z
FAN for LIFE!!!
There's not a whole lot of options for me when the PTSD I brought home from my military service ambushes my brain(the parts i still have left...👀)...
Tinariwen's great music helps me refocus & recover from those nightmarish attacks.
Much gratitude & love to them, & to the good people who put it here on YouTube!!!🌟👏🏿👏🏼👏🌟
@mezianeouchene8792
We are the Berbers ❤ I’m from Kabylia - Algérie, I’m speaking a different dialect but I understood all the lyrics it’s not so hard as I was thinking, I am so proud of being of yours, we are the native people of these North African Lands, our culture and language will be forever.
@abelkadernegra999
قل والله ياخي حالة فرق شاسع بينكم وبين، ساكن الاصليين الوجوه تخبرك انظر لنفسك وانظر لي هؤلاء ما هذا الهراء