Click here to see Niger National Televisions reporting on the Tamesna Festival 2014
It has been a long time building. We have been working like crazy to present our projects to as many nomads as possible. Nomads come to festivals in the season after the rains when their herds are fat and there is some leisure time. We had to cancel (reprogram for later) the arrival of 9 American volunteers who were going to expand our midwife program and start a new earthbag building training. We decided that canceling so many invitations to nomads from all over would be impossible and if they showed and did not find a festival it would do our reputation no good. So on with the show…
The officials were housed in style in our visitors residence, where our volunteers stay and in enormous Tuareg leather tents.
Sleeping in style. Three huge Tuareg beds were in each tent.
The dining room was set for 30 for the officials–we ended up serving 90. (The sultan brought a big entourage.)
The crowd was full of important personalities and officials in the region: The sultan of the Air, the vice president of the regional council of Agadez (the president is the highest elected official in the north, and was our patron, but was called away and could not come) The prefect of Ingall, the mayor of Ingall and many traditional chiefs.
The Wodaabe came from three communities: Foudouk, Tedbouk and Taguedoumt.
They did the Gerewol (red face paint) dance as well as the Yaake (Yellow face paint)
Our festival was unique in that three ethnic groups celebrated with their unique style: Wodaabe, Tuareg and (above) Gani dancers from Ingall.
Gani women dancers from Ingall with Wodaabe behind.
The youth of several of the communities where we have worked dressed alike to show their pride and support for what we do. In their communities we have dug wells, built and supported schools, created cereal and fodder banks, vaccination and literacy programs, artisanal & herding co-ops, and training programs. It was a reminder of our history and a nice Thank you from them.
Le jeuness (youth groups) greet the officials.
Tuareg finery
Bombino rocked his desert blues most of the night.
The next morning the children participated in the festival: the boys ran a race.
To show our support for their traditions we presented the winner with a camel saddle. This is Alhousseini Abou, sponsored by Walter Tavaska–hope you are proud.
The girls had a reading competition won by Tefest Issouf. She won a traditional outfit. Bennie Schoyen is her sponsor–hope you are proud.
We showed off the school. See those beautiful paintings the kids did? (under the auspices of Linda Taylor)
Then we showed off our programs. The matrones (Mariam) demonstrate their training. They were to be trainers this time–but that will happen next trip.
The solar students showed off their products. Everyone one was impressed with the ice at the residence (we have a solar freezer there that the students installed when they did the lights and charging station.
The women’s training to use the sewing machines was taking place. They were learning to make the school uniforms.
After having cancelled the volunteers, I thought I was going to go out with our patron Mohamed Anacko, the president of the regional council of Agadez and the highest elected Tuareg official. He got called to Niamey at the last minute so I lost his security. I applied for other security with three filmmakers who wanted to go and got turned down. So I did make a quick visit to organize and decorate, but had to leave because there was no security available to stay. I sent my good camera out with Alhassane to take all these great photos and I stayed home and cried. Then I cried again when I saw the photos, but the tears were from pride in what they did accomplish without me. The sultan, who I went to thank in Agadez the day after, was so pleased he will be writing a letter for us commending the quality of the festival and the value of our work. I guess the goal is for them to be doing the whole show themselves, but I sure did miss the fun part.
Most important we had at least 2,000 nomads participating–supporting us and promising to make it bigger and better next year. Sure hope I can go.
Leslie,
What a grand event!! Your frustration and disappointment at not being able to attend the festival is understandable. However, this was also one of your goals….to provide the training, support and belief in these people to enable them to do these things for themselves. Bravo! They must be very proud of themselves. It makes me very happy and hopeful to see the cultural mix and cooperation at a time when this is so lacking in much of the world.
Congratulations to your and the Nomads.
Larry
What a Herculean effort! You must be so very very proud of what you and the nomads have accomplished.
This is a testament to your hard work and the Nomad Foundations and all volunteers… Been there and witnessed it ;). Leslie you are right and have been correct all along with the foundations goals of the “hand up” attitude…
Is it all coming together? I think these pictures tell a most awesome reality.
Tears of joy-absolutely
Linda
Fantastic! Well done, everyone! Leslie, you are my hero! Hugs, Jill
c’est magnifique! les photos sont superbes et la présence de tants de nomades doit être un réconfort pour vous malgré les difficultés!
continuez , nous sommes avec vous
louis
Once again i am so moved I am speechless.
Leslie the accomplishment is just beyond words. You have to be so proud to have reached this point having overcome so many set backs….You are a force and now the Nomads themselves have become their own force. So happy to have supported your efforts all these years as the results speak volumns. The Tamesna Center will be used as an example of how to reach the greatest number of Nomads in the most effective way. It just keeps getting better.
Great work Leslie! So great to see photos of the living fruits of your efforts, as others carry forth thanks to your vision and hard work.
Made me a little homesick for the Sahel to read this post. I look forward to returning there someday..
With admiration,
Kevin
Leslie, thanks you so much for your continued love, connection and passion for nomadic way of life and nomadic peoples! I cherish what you treasure and share with us all. Someday I hope to travel with you to this place on the planet, with all its beauty, rhythms, song, arts, and humanity. What you’ve encouraged among these tribal peoples is inspirational, and a true testament to the connection of one human to another … not the act of giving, but the gift of connection and recognizing that we are one.
You are an Angel thank you.
Thank you all for your comments. It is wonderful to know someone is paying attention.
Remarkable, congratulations to all!
Welcome home Leslie.
Congrats, Leslie. Such amazing work!
Thank goodness you are home! I am aging beyond belief from worrying about my little sister. If I remember correctly, your first trip over (how many years ago?), you were mugged. But my worrying must have worked as you are safely home again. And I am so proud of you.
Not quite home–but its looking good as I am in Paris–I had yet another flight cancellation–the fourth this trip. So keep worrying at least now you don’t have to worry about terrorists just Air France.
Leslie,
We love following all the great accomplishments taking place. Congratulations on wonderful work!
Cheers,
Pamela and Bill
Dear Leslie:
I never cease to admire your sustained labor on behalf of Imazighen and your creative talent. You are a rare woman. If you are going to be home on December 6th, the day of our festival, you are very welcome to attend. Let me know if you have a presentation that can be incorporated in our( already full) program. Robyn Symon will present a 12 minute trailer on her film “Behind the Blue Veil” (Mali Tuaregs) – Just let me know. You are welcome as a participant or a member of the audience. Take care, Leslie.
Helene, You are another who works tirelessly on behalf of the Imazighen–the admiration is mutual. I would love to attend your event as I have always thoroughly enjoyed it in the past. I have another Nomad Foundation event on the same day and will be unable to. Hope it goes well–as it always does. But one day maybe we can get Alhassane and Hasso back and do some music. Best Wishes,
As a very small but faithful contributor, I am in awe of what (distant cousin) Leslie and the many volunteers have accomplished. The recent news of escalating tension and violence in Niger is disturbing. Keep up the good works while supporting the Nomad way of life.