Tuareg

Traditional Tuareg music features two primary instruments: the moncord violin called "anzad" and a small tambour called "tende." Traditional songs known as "asak" and "tisiway" (poems) are performed by both women and men during feasts and social gatherings. Another prominent Tuareg musical genre is "takamba," which is characterized by Afro-Berber percussion.

Vocal music includes "tisiway," which are poems; "tasikisikit," songs performed by women accompanied by the tende while men on camelback circle around them; "asak," songs accompanied by the anzad moncord violin; and "tahengemmit," slow songs sung by elder men.

Music for children and youth includes "bellulla" songs created by children playing with their lips; "fadangama," a small monocord instrument for children; "odili," a flute made from the trunk of a sorghum plant; and "gidga," a small wooden instrument with iron sticks used to produce strident sounds.

In the 1980s, rebel fighters founded Tinariwen, a Tuareg band that blends electric guitars with indigenous musical styles. Tinariwen became one of the most well-known and authentic Tuareg bands. In regions isolated during the Tuareg rebellion, such as Adrar des Iforas, they were often the only accessible music, making them locally famous. Their songs and lyrics, such as "Abaraybone," became widely known among locals. Tinariwen released their first CD in 2000 and toured Europe and the United States in 2004. The Niger-based band Etran Finatawa brings together Tuareg and Wodaabe members, combining traditional instruments with electric guitars.

Following the cultural revival of the 1980s, many music groups emerged. Notable groups include Tartit and Imaran, and recognized artists include Abdallah Oumbadougou from Ayr and Baly Othmany from Djanet.