Festival of the Desert
The festival held in the Sahara desert some 50km north of the 'mysterious' Timbuktu and accessable only by 4WD or camel has held allure for both Sanna and I for many years.
The event, situated amid sand dunes at the very edge of the desert, successfully combines its origins as a Touareg gathering with its newly acquired status as an international world music event. Artists this year included the great Salif Keita, Vieux Farka Toure, Bassekou Kouyate & Habib Koite. A fantastically organised event with all the facilities you would expect (running water and clean(ish) toilets) and some you wouldn't (the Malian army providing festival security with AK47's and tanks patrolling the perimeter!).
After 3 days though we were ready to hit the sand again and took the lesser travelled northern route ( 2 days, 630km) through the desert to the town of Segou on the banks of the river Niger. From here we plan to travel south into Burkina Faso again to visit the Banfora region before returning to Segou for the festival here at the end of the month. (www.festivalsegou.org)
4 comments:
Happy New Year to you both too! I never knew where Tomboctou was until you went there. In fact your whole trip has proved a very useful geography lesson for me! We are missing you though, and think that it's about time that you started heading for home. Emma was asking about you yesterday Sanna, and said that you were her best grown up friend! As you can see, the Christmas present was a big success!
No news from here really. Kids being adorable, it's freezing cold, Olly away alot trying to figure out our next move!
Big kisses to you both,
Nathalie xxx
Happy 2009!!!
I was hoping to be in Ségou also, but am in France instead... freezing my toes off. :((( Can't wait for your stories about Mali.
Did you like Bassékou Kouyaté? They should be playing in Ségou too. I saw them in Dakar a couple of months ago and thought they were fantastic.
Are you driving through Toulouse on your way home? If yes, please get in touch!
Patricia
Hello my lovelies. Thanks so much for your lovely text. Luca was very excited to get a message from Africa. It is freezing cold and foggy here - looking forward to a glass of wine in front of the fire. G is out in the cold doing a cut and pitch roof. I've got no idea what that is. Lots of love from Jane, Giovanni & Luca xxx
Hey Sanna and Jonnie!
It was great meeting you guys in Segou. Looks like I might be back up in Segou for the festival, and will look through the crowd of toubabous to find you :) If not, give a call when you get to Bamako.
Racey
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