Festival in the Desert - Mali January 2006

Cheesebikini · Post by **Cheesebikini** » Thu Nov 10, 2005 11:27 am

Has anyone been to this? Any info at all?
http://www.festival-au-desert.org/index.cfm?w=296

HEADBANDMAN · Post by **HEADBANDMAN** » Wed Nov 16, 2005 1:54 pm

What country is that in? I could not figure it out. I like the idea of flying in in a big jet. I wonder if burning man will ever have that?

diane o'thirst · Post by **diane o'thirst** » Wed Nov 16, 2005 2:29 pm

Mali is in the Sahara Desert. It's where the Tuareg tribe comes from.
Sounds great, though!

Je parle français, ainsi c'est pas de probleme pour moi. Always wanted to go there, for some reason. I'm just scared of getting Al Qaeda'ed, though

blyslv · Post by **blyslv** » Wed Nov 16, 2005 2:41 pm

As fears go, getting al-queda-ed in Mali would have to rank pretty low.

diane o'thirst · Post by **diane o'thirst** » Wed Nov 16, 2005 8:21 pm

Eh, well, one has to pass through other territories where getting al-qaeda'ed isn't as unlikely...

After Jordan, Spain — or even France — I'm not counting anywhere as without their reach.

blyslv · Post by **blyslv** » Thu Nov 17, 2005 8:46 am

Last summer I spent a week in Dakar, Senegal. The security around the embassy was imposing, starting about a block away. But as I wandered around the city, I never had any trouble. That is anedotal I know, but it is a muslim african city.

And I could trot out statistics that show you're more likely to die of a runny nose then a terrorist attack, but what good would that do? I can only say, don't let your decisions be influenced by statistically improbable possibilities. There is no reason for any of us to live in fear!

Going to Mali, and being a part of the festival would be a blast!

bongo_pedro · Post by **bongo_pedro** » Fri Nov 18, 2005 5:21 am

The festival is in Essakane and is an initiative which grew out of the diaspora of Touareg during the civil war in Mali. It is still a small and very remote festival - a half day off road from Timbuctoo! It's a great showcase for music around Africa and operates from a philiosophy of inclusiveness. Most of the attendees are probably, still, Touareg but that's probably beginning to change as more westerners visit. Robert Plant and the BBC were bot at last years event. I'd get there now if you want see what it's about. London and NYC are probably far more risky places to visit vis a vis the current "terrorist" issue.

Cheesebikini · Post by **Cheesebikini** » Fri Nov 18, 2005 6:02 am

Are you infering that the London Decom will be more dangerous?
Dearly wishing I could be there on the 3rd!

Festival in the Desert - Mali January 2006

Festival in the Desert - Mali January 2006

Hello

Essakane - Touareg - Mali