Terakaft

Terakaft is a Malian Tuareg blues group from Kidal, Mali, active since 2001. The name means “the caravan” in Tamashek.

The group is formed by guitarists and develops in a similar musical area to Tinariwen. It is founded by Kedou and Diara, both described as early and important guitarists from Tinariwen. Kedou takes part in Tinariwen’s first Festival with the Desert performance at Chock-Essako in January 2001 and contributes four songs to The Radio Tisdas Sessions, their first album.

Kedou later leaves Tinariwen to pursue a separate path, living for two years in Algeria, in Tindouf and Tamanrasset, and then for two more years in Libya, in the south of the country. He then returns to Kidal. He is also linked to the history of the Tuareg rebellion and is known for his songs.

Terakaft brings together Kedou with Diara, described as one of Tinariwen’s original members and one of the more rock-oriented guitarists in the group, alongside younger guitarists Sanou and Rhissa. The group gives its first concert at the Festival with the Desert in Essakane in January 2007, then plays the Festival of the Camel in Tessalit and goes on to Bamako to record its first album over four days at Bogolan Studios.

The group’s current members are Liya Ag Ablil, Sanou Ag Ahmed and Kedou Ag Ossad.