Welcome to my regular Friday song/tune day, ladies and gentlemen, where I pick a piece of music that reflects my mood or the times, to share with you.

I’ve been very conscious that my Friday song choices are far from diverse. Unfortunately my musical education is very limited, both in time and in place. However, there is a much bigger world of music out there than I can ever hope to know. Music exists everywhere, even in countries and regions where there are those that would seek to stamp it out. A world without music is a world without hope. Take Mali, for example. In some regions, music is forbidden through violence and intimidation. Armed conflict and violent extremism continues in Mali. Government in Mali is also in disarray as evidenced by a military coup that took place just over a week ago, perhaps after the ruling party failed to meet the basic needs of citizens for food, water, shelter, health and safety, let alone those needs that would see Malians thrive into the future.

Aigachatou, a single mother and her children, standing in front of their makeshift tent after fleeing violence in Timbuktu. Credit: TOGO Moise/NRC

On that depressing note, shall we hear a lament to the ancient city of Timbukto (Mali) by renowned Malian singer, Fatoumata Diawara?

Stay safe, sane and kind, everyone.

Kind Regards.
Tracy.

Header Image Description: The kora is played in Mali.
Photo Credit: KannanShanmugamstudio,Main Road,Kollam / CC BY-SA

15 thoughts on “From Here To Timbuktu”

  1. We haven’t heard much of Mali’s situation in the news. To not have basic needs met is horrendous and then to have music banned. Music is often a lifeline in difficult times. Thanks for raising awareness.

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  2. There is a United Nations Mission in Mali. Have a a look at “Canada’s Engagement in Mali.” Canada is there doing humanitarian works, Canadian police have a contingent there and our military is doing peace keeping. I’m very fond of Mali’s music and enjoyed your selection Tracy. My niece was in Mali doing work as part of Engineers Without Boarders. She was doing social development work

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    1. Thank you. I had seen that Canada and a range of other countries were contributing humanitarian and peace-keeping support in Mali. Kudos to Canadians and all the other countries providing a helping hand. I understand that the Australian government is not involved in that mission. Australia has also cut its aid budget massively over the last 20 years and that our aid is mainly targeted at the Asia-Pacific. We also tend to involve ourselves in more contentious military operations in the ME.
      Congratulations to your niece for undertaking that work with EWB. You must be very proud of her. It can’t have been easy work, but such a good way achieving cross-cultural connections and understanding.

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      1. Thank you Tracy! Canada is currently being criticized by the USA because in their opinion Canada does not spend enough on our military. Canada disagrees we have our own priorities.

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  3. I know so little about Mali, and nothing about its musical traditions. I love the music of Bessa, who is Ghanian, and Senegal’s Youssou N’Dour, and you’ve given me a wee boot up the bum to find those albums and play them again.

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      1. I agree. After I listened to Fatoumata, I found the Bessa CD and have been playing it, interspersed with an album by a friend’s band — which is really growing on me.

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  4. Thank you for this post, Tracy. It’s been an education in itself. It’s always a jolt to be reminded of just how priviledged I am. I watched the video, and it reminded me of a former student who did three Peace Corps tours in Africa and how much she loved African culture. (She loved everything about Africa for that matter.) Just out of curiosity, I Googled her name and found a blog chronicling a fourth tour in Etheopia.

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    1. I relate, Liz. We can get caught in our little world. After all, that may be all we can cope with at the moment. But if we can we should also think of others, don’t you think? Your former student sounds like a very noble-minded, unselfish person. Good idea to look her up, Liz.

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  5. We’ve heard nothing about the situation in Mali in our news….basically, because it isn’t about US celebrities or US politics, which are the only two topics our news media covers, with a little bit of devastating weather forecasts thrown in just for good measure. I’m so sorry to hear about this. I can’t imagine trying to live in a climate of fear and intimidation, much less try to raise a family.

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