Experience unique Tuareg music in Saaremaa

Text Mark Taylor
Photo Kaireley, CC BY-SA 3.0 EE, Wikimedia Commons

On June 21, the Jämaja Church in Sõrve (Saaremaa) will host a unique concert featuring the Tuareg ensemble Tartit from Mali. They will bring the centuries-old hypnotic music, dances, traditional instruments, and distinctive costumes of the Sahara Desert’s mystical and lesser-known culture to Estonia.

The Tuareg culture is a rich blend of Arabic, French, and indigenous traditions, developed over centuries and now facing the threat of extinction. The longstanding conflicts and political instability in Mali have turned the Tuareg people into refugees. Tartit’s concerts offer a journey through the desert, inviting audiences to experience the enigmatic world of the Kel Tamasheq (the Tuareg’s name for themselves). The beauty of traditional costumes and instruments underscores the magical essence of their performances, with many melodies dating back centuries.

The Tuareg homeland in present-day Northern Mali has historically been a crossroads of trade routes, with salt and gold trade being the primary sources of income. This concert, held as part of the Orient festival at  Jämaja Church on Saaremaa, will showcase the enduring legacy of the Tuareg people.

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distinctive costumes Estonia hypnotic music Jämaja church Saaremaa Sahara desert traditional instruments Tuareg songs