Festival au Desert started in 2001 as a small Sahara Desert gathering of Tuareg tribes and Malian musicians in the aftermath of civil strife between Mali’s principal ethnic groups. Its centerpieces ...

Festival-goers marvel at the array of features, including equestrian competitions, camel races, sloughi (desert greyhound) hunts and re-enactments of nomadic customs and lifestyles.

For the curious, here are 12 African acts hailing from the Sahel to check out. For more, explore our Spotify playlist ...