Colors of the Desert: Sahara Cultures Take Center Stage in Chad
In the vast, sun-scorched expanse of the Sahara, where ancient trade routes meet the modern borders of Sudan and Libya, the Chadian city of Amdjarass has burst into life this week. Transformed into a vibrant open-air stage, the city is hosting the sixth International Festival of Saharan Cultures (FICSA), a radiant celebration of the people, artistry, and traditions that define this majestic yet often misunderstood region.
A Gathering of Desert Voices
Until Friday, Amdjarass resonates with the rhythms of dance troupes, the melodies of traditional musicians, the captivating tales of storytellers, and the skilled hands of craftspeople. Nomadic camel drivers, cooks, and artists from across the Sahara have converged here, turning the city into a living tapestry of desert heritage. Niger, this year’s guest of honor, sees the festival as a beacon of peace in a region challenged by conflict and climate change.
“In a world rife with tensions, crises and misunderstandings, culture remains a space for encounter and dialogue,” Niger’s Minister of Crafts and Tourism, Aghaichata Guichene Atta, told the opening ceremony. Her words were met with cheers as she emphasized culture’s role as a tool for “peace, development and employment.” She paid special tribute to Saharan women, the unsung guardians of intangible heritage, who carry the living memory of their societies “through their songs, their stories, their hands that weave, shape, cook and educate.”
Roots in Rock and Resilience
Amdjarass itself is a symbol of Saharan resilience. Once a dusty village, now a grid-shaped city, its name derives from the Arabic word for bell, “djarass.” This refers to a unique local white rock that rings in the wind, historically used to warn of rival tribes’ raids. Nestled in Chad’s remote northeast, a land of dramatic rock formations and sweeping dunes, the city is home to several nomadic peoples and was the stronghold of the late President Idriss Déby Itno.
For locals like 27-year-old Issak Bassam, the festival’s return after a seven-year hiatus—paused by the pandemic, political transition, and organizational hurdles—is a moment of pride and connection. “I haven’t got the money to travel,” he shared, “so this festival is a way for me to meet people from different horizons and celebrate Saharan culture in all its diversity.”
More Than a Celebration: A Bridge to the World
For Chad’s Prime Minister, Allah Maye Halina, and festival founder Issouf Elli Moussami, FICSA is far more than a week-long celebration. It is a strategic lever to promote tourism and draw the world’s gaze to a region rich in culture yet far from the typical tourist trail.
This sentiment was echoed by the Nigerien guitarist Omar “Bombino” Moctar, whose Tuareg blues-rock melodies floated under the desert stars. “Through my music, I want to share happiness with all the peoples of the desert, bring them together and explain to the whole world the dangers we face,” he said. His performance, like the festival itself, serves as a powerful invitation—to listen, to learn, and to appreciate the profound beauty and contemporary challenges of Saharan life.
A Living Mosaic Under the Open Sky
As the festival unfolds, it weaves together threads of music, craftsmanship, oral history, and communal joy. It stands as a defiant and joyful affirmation that the desert is not empty; it is full of life, color, and profound human heritage. In the face of global indifference and regional strife, the peoples of the Sahara are raising their voices, sharing their stories, and reminding the world that their culture is not a relic of the past, but a vibrant, enduring force for unity and peace.
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