Arnaud Contreras Photo Journal

This 2011 november evening, I had the chance to witness my first tuareg rock battle.

On one side of the ring, Bombino from Agadez, Niger, jumping all around and playing with his Fender as fast as he could.
On the other side, Tamikrest from Kidal, Mali, calmly and deeply launching their Gibson sound in the air.

And the winner was ….
Ahmed Abdoulaye Boudane (aka “Ag Jackson”), young tuareg painter, who made a brilliant saharan air guitar show.

Listen to Bombino +++ and Tamikrest +++

Discover Ahmed Abdoulaye Boudane work +++

The Saharan society is changing fast.
Still a beautiful desert but not only.

Most populated cities such as Tamanrasset are microcosms revealing all the problem of this touristic region: threats of terrorism, traffics, illegal migration, pressures on cultural and natural heritages.

The only ways to escape this harsh reality for Tuareg’s youth are cybercafé and festivals celebrating their guitar heroes,
the “Ishumar”, such as Tinariwen bands.

In Europe, the Saharan diaspora intents to offer a positive image of their native land. They organize events and promote bands from Kidal, Djanet, Agadez or Timbuktu.

Trying to keep alive, by music, the link between Sahara and the Western World.

© Arnaud Contreras
2007-2010
www.arnaudcontreras.com

All pictures with Leica M7 and Summilux M 35mm/f 1,4 and Kodak Tri X 400 ASA