# Tartit

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Malian band

Tartit Origin Tombouctou Region, Mali Genres Desert blues Years active 1992-present Label Crammed Discs Past members Mohammed Issa

**Tartit** (meaning "union") are a band from the [Tombouctou Region](/source/Tombouctou_Region) of [Mali](/source/Mali). The group consists of five women and four men, all of whom are [Tamasheq](/source/Tamasheq_language)-speaking [Tuareg](/source/Tuareg_people).[1] They formed in 1992 in a refugee camp in [Mauritania](/source/Mauritania).[2] **Imharhan**, an expanded group that includes current and former Tartit members, incorporates [electric instruments](/source/Electric_instrument) and cross-cultural experiments into their music.[3][4]

## History

In 1995, Tartit performed their debut concert at the MASA Trade Fair for African Arts in [Abidjan](/source/Abidjan), [Côte d'Ivoire](/source/C%C3%B4te_d'Ivoire). In the same year they were invited to the [Festival of Women's Voices](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Festival_of_Women%27s_Voices&action=edit&redlink=1) in [Liège](/source/Li%C3%A8ge), [Belgium](/source/Belgium). Tartit toured Europe in 1998 and then in 2000 toured North America. At the [WOMAD Festival](/source/WOMAD_Festival) in [Seattle](/source/Seattle), after performing their own set, the group joined fellow Malians [Ali Farka Touré](/source/Ali_Farka_Tour%C3%A9) and [Afel Bocoum](/source/Afel_Bocoum) on stage. In 2003 they appeared at the [Festival in the Desert](/source/Festival_au_D%C3%A9sert),[2] where they again played with Touré and Bocoum, and also joined [Tinariwen](/source/Tinariwen), [Robert Plant](/source/Robert_Plant), [Oumou Sangaré](/source/Oumou_Sangar%C3%A9), [Lo'Jo](/source/Lo'Jo) and [Baba Salah](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Baba_Salah&action=edit&redlink=1). Tartit has collaborated with other musicians, such as [Susan McKeown](/source/Susan_McKeown) (on her album *[Sweet Liberty](/source/Sweet_Liberty_(Susan_McKeown_album))*), and their songs have been included on compilations such as, *Rèves d'Oasis: Desert Blues*.

Tartit released their first album, *Amazagh*, in 1997. They became better-known with the release of their second album, *Ichchila*, recorded in 2000. In 2006, the group released their third album, *Abacabok*.

To contribute actively to the development of their region, the band also formed a [United Nations](/source/United_Nations)-recognized association dedicated to preserving and raising awareness of Malian music and culture. The association, likewise, develops schools for children and economic opportunities for women.

Tartit's compositions include [ballads](/source/Ballads) and [call-and-response](/source/Call-and-response) songs. Most of Tartit's songs are simply structured. The female members of the band play the traditional instruments, [imzad](/source/Imzad)[2] and [tende](/source/Tende), and are supplemented by the teherdent [ngoni](/source/Xalam) and/or electric guitar played by the men. To these instruments are added chants and percussive handclaps. The result is a sort of desert blues.

In February 2013, [Freemuse](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Freemuse&action=edit&redlink=1) [[wd](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Special:EntityPage/Q1453589#sitelinks-wikipedia)] reported that Tartit had fled the [Timbuktu](/source/Timbuktu) area due to the [Northern Mali conflict](/source/Northern_Mali_conflict_(2012%E2%80%93present)).[5] Leader Fadimata Walett Oumar (known as "Disco") fled to [Ouagadougou](/source/Ouagadougou), [Burkina Faso](/source/Burkina_Faso) while other members went to [Bobo-Dioulasso](/source/Bobo-Dioulasso) or to [Mauritania](/source/Mauritania).[5] This complicated efforts to perform at European concerts during summer 2012; guitarist Mohammed Issa was unable to secure a visa while living in Mauritania and could not appear with the group.[5]

Mohammed Issa formed an affiliated group, Imharhan.[3][4] Banning Eyre, writing for [Afropop Worldwide](/source/Afropop_Worldwide), has noted that "with a more electric, 'modern' sound, Imharhan kind of splits the difference between Tartit and Tinariwen, with the women of Tartit participating with vocals and dance."[4] In July and August 2013, Tartit and Imharhan performed throughout North America with singer-guitarist [Mamadou Kelly](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mamadou_Kelly&action=edit&redlink=1) as the Festival au Desert - Caravan for Peace.[4][6][7]

## Band members

- Fadimata Walett Oumar ("Disco")[2] - vocals, tinde drum

- Walett Oumar Zeinabou - vocals, tinde drum

- Mama Walett Amoumine - vocals, tinde drum

- Fadimata W. Mohamedun (Fatma) - vocals, tinde drum

- Tafa Al Hosseini - vocals, imzad

- Mohamed Issa ag Oumar - lead electric guitar, vocals

- Ag Mohamed Idwal - 4-string teherdent lute, guitar

- Amanou - 3-string tehardent lute, guitar, vocals

- Mossa Ag Mohamed - vocals

## Discography

**Albums**

- *Amazagh* (1997), Fontimusical

- *Ichichila* (2000)

- *Abacabok* (2006), [Crammed Discs](/source/Crammed_Discs)

- *Tartit: Amankor/ The exile* (2019), [World Music Network](/source/World_Music_Network)

**Contributing artist**

- *[The Rough Guide To Desert Blues](/source/The_Rough_Guide_To_Desert_Blues)* (2010), [World Music Network](/source/World_Music_Network)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-nastos_1-0)** Nastos, Michael G.. [Tartit](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/tartit-mn0000746718/biography) at [AllMusic](/source/AllMusic_(identifier)). Retrieved 22 April 2014.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-apww_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-apww_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-apww_2-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-apww_2-3) ["Timbuktu, Dakar, Fes Flight Plan"](http://www.afropop.org/radio/radio_program/ID/855). *[Afropop Worldwide](/source/Afropop_Worldwide)* (archived broadcast). [PRI](/source/Public_Radio_International). 2012-04-12 [Festival in the Desert segment originally recorded and broadcast in 2003]. Event begins at 7:43. Retrieved 2012-05-27.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-rps_bio_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-rps_bio_3-1) ["Bio - More About Caravan for Peace and its Artists"](http://www.rockpaperscissors.biz/index.cfm/fuseaction/current.bio/project_id/721.cfm). Rock Paper Scissors. 2013. Retrieved 2013-08-16.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-apww2013-07-19_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-apww2013-07-19_4-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-apww2013-07-19_4-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-apww2013-07-19_4-3) Eyre, Banning (2013-07-19). ["Caravan Pour la Paix Brings Mali Desert Vibe to Montreal"](https://web.archive.org/web/20140812115013/http://www.afropop.org/wp/11642/caravan-pour-la-paix-brings-mali-desert-vibe-to-montreal/). *Afropop Worldwide*. World Music Productions. Archived from [the original](http://www.afropop.org/wp/11642/caravan-pour-la-paix-brings-mali-desert-vibe-to-montreal/) on 2014-08-12. Retrieved 2013-08-16.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-morgan_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-morgan_5-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-morgan_5-2) Morgan, Andy (February 2013). ["Music, Culture and Conflict in Mali"](http://freemuse.org/graphics/Publications/PDF/Music-Culture-Conflict_MALI.pdf) (PDF). Freemuse. pp. 35–36. Retrieved 2013-03-03.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-rps_pr_6-0)** ["Caravan for Peace: Mali's Call for Peaceful, Dialogue Comes to the US this Summer"](https://web.archive.org/web/20130702054408/http://www.rockpaperscissors.biz/index.cfm/fuseaction/current.press_release/project_id/721.cfm) (Press release). Rock Paper Scissors. 2013. Archived from [the original](http://www.rockpaperscissors.biz/index.cfm/fuseaction/current.press_release/project_id/721.cfm) on 2013-07-02. Retrieved 2013-08-16.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-nyt2013-07-30_7-0)** Rohter, Larry (2013-07-30). ["Musical Nomads, Escaping Political Upheaval"](https://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/31/arts/music/musical-nomads-escaping-political-upheaval.html). *[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times)*. Retrieved 2013-08-16.

## External links

- [Tartit](https://myspace.com/Tartit) on [Myspace](/source/Myspace)

- [Tartit](http://www.crammed.be/index.php?id=34&art_id=125) at [Crammed Discs](/source/Crammed_Discs) site

Authority control databases International ISNI VIAF National United States France BnF data Czech Republic Artists MusicBrainz Other IdRef Yale LUX

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Tartit](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tartit) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tartit?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.