World rhythms threaten traditional Mauritanian music

2009-06-23

As the world's modern rhythms begin to reach Mauritanian shores, musicians are voicing concerns about the future of their traditional music.

Mohamad Yahia Ould Abdel Wedoud for Magharebia in Nouakchott – 23/06/09

[SEYLLOU/AFP/Getty Images] Through her music, Mauritanian artist Al Ma'louma Bent Al Midah seeks to preserve her country's traditional styles.

Mauritanian artists warn that globalisation and exposure to foreign cultures and music are contributing to the erosion of their country's traditional music. They dub the threat "the musical invasion from the east and the west".

Most young people are no longer interested in local music. Instead, they are turning to western and eastern music. "They say it's more hip," Mauritanian artists complain.

"Most of Mauritanian youth nowadays do not listen to our local music," said Mohamad Ould Ankimish. "In fact, they think that it does not match the pace of current times."

Concerns over declining interest in traditional music led artist Iman Ould Aali, along with a group of musicians and music fans, to establish an organisation dedicated to teaching younger generations about traditional music and instruments.

The goal of his NGO is to "confront the incoming threat of foreign music, which communicates customs and traditions contrary to those we were raised to, [and] which can affect our Arab identity", Ould Aali said.

Ould Aali, who plays the traditional tednet, said instruments are also being neglected.

"We have noticed that some old instruments such as the ardin and the tednet are no longer used by artists. They've been replaced by the guitar and the piano."

Such worry seems justified. The younger generation seems to prefer foreign music.

"Quite frankly," said 20-year-old Ahmad, "I can relate better to global, particularly western, music. I do not see that as a threat to our local musical heritage."

Wafaa, 22, finds local music hard to understand. "Artists often choose lyrics and rhythms from the heritage that are rather difficult for the younger generation who has never lived in the desert."

Joub Amado, who owns a record store, said that he could tell what the new generation prefers through what sells best. His customers are mainly between 18 and 28 years old.

"I sell nearly 40 music tapes every day, 80% of them are for western or eastern artists. We noticed that recently, there has been a decline in the sales of local records, thus we no longer get many of them," he said.

Some renowned artists are doing their part to preserve Mauritanian music by mixing in elements of the more popular modern and foreign styles.

Maalouma Mint El Meydah, already a star on the global scene, is one of them.

"There is no contradiction at all between local and global music," said El Meydah. "Each has its own venue and each benefits from the other. Both are human experiences that deserve respect. Art cannot be subjected to boundaries and barriers. It is a language that unites all nations."

According to the head of Mauritanian Bureau for the Promotion of Music, Ahmad Ould Abb, the government is making efforts to save the country's musical heritage. Ould Abb's bureau is launching a 7-million dollar program to preserve the nation's musical heritage. The program is funded by Spain and supervised by the UNDP.

"The Bureau has also been in contact with the National Radio Station, the oldest media institute nationwide, in order to access music archives to record and maintain the musical heritage and explain our heritage to the younger generations," he explained.

"Our musical heritage is now on display in museums," said Ould Aali.

"Without these efforts to preserve the music", he said, "our popular rhythms and songs will soon join them".