The Remotest Festival on Earth - Festival in the Desert, Mali Essakane
Not yet published by Vanessa Boiser
Country: Mali 
The Experience
Mali is a country virtually untouched by modern tourism. It is a safe haven for those looking for a place to see great things but do not want large crowds all the time. Mali is located in Western Africa and was once a part of the famous Western African Empire that once controlled the trans-Saharan trading of precious items such as gold, slaves and salt.
Although considered before as one of the poorest African Nations, Mali’s unwavering fight against hunger and poverty paid off in the late 1990’s. Although it is far from being an economic power, Mali is slowly but steadily getting to its goal. Mali however has one of the greatest places for tourist destination. But because of lack of infrastructure and other basic tourism necessities, it is not generating the amount of visitors it intends to have annually.
In 2001, a great festival of nomadic origin was brought to life. It was the Festival au Desert or the Festival in the Desert. The mixture of the desert winter air, nomadic music and food made the evening a unique and unforgettable experience.
The cold winter month of January is when this festival is celebrated. It is probably the most remote festival in the whole world. Enchanting music echoed in the desert night and the people danced as if there was no tomorrow. It was an exhilarating feeling to be out in the desert without any care in the world. The music can be played as loudly as possible and no one would care. Witnesses to this rare event danced, sang and ate all night. They left all their worries in the city far away, only visible because of its twinkling street lights.
Although considered before as one of the poorest African Nations, Mali’s unwavering fight against hunger and poverty paid off in the late 1990’s. Although it is far from being an economic power, Mali is slowly but steadily getting to its goal. Mali however has one of the greatest places for tourist destination. But because of lack of infrastructure and other basic tourism necessities, it is not generating the amount of visitors it intends to have annually.
In 2001, a great festival of nomadic origin was brought to life. It was the Festival au Desert or the Festival in the Desert. The mixture of the desert winter air, nomadic music and food made the evening a unique and unforgettable experience.
The cold winter month of January is when this festival is celebrated. It is probably the most remote festival in the whole world. Enchanting music echoed in the desert night and the people danced as if there was no tomorrow. It was an exhilarating feeling to be out in the desert without any care in the world. The music can be played as loudly as possible and no one would care. Witnesses to this rare event danced, sang and ate all night. They left all their worries in the city far away, only visible because of its twinkling street lights.
When to Go
The Festival in the Desert was the way of the Nomads, the Tuareg Tribe known as “The Blue Men of the Desert”. It was their way of gathering all tribes and clans to showcase their dances, songs, the beauty of their women and the strength and cunningness of their men. It was a night of festivities for young and old alike. It was their time to rest from yearlong trading and travelling, it was a night to feast because they laboured long and hard.
Today, just like many thousands of years ago, the stars and the moon served as their light to guide the festive visitors all through the night. But because today is today, brightly coloured stage lights and spotlights helped in making the Festival in the Desert a night truly for partying! A huge crowd gathered at the elaborate stage that was set-up days before the event. Tents and make-shift toilets were put-up and prepared around the perimeter for tired guests to spend the night or nights for that matter.
January is when the Festival in the Desert is celebrated. It is the best time to experience this because you can still fill the winter chill and it’s wonderful to make a small bonfire to make everyone warm. Mali and February to May.
Today, just like many thousands of years ago, the stars and the moon served as their light to guide the festive visitors all through the night. But because today is today, brightly coloured stage lights and spotlights helped in making the Festival in the Desert a night truly for partying! A huge crowd gathered at the elaborate stage that was set-up days before the event. Tents and make-shift toilets were put-up and prepared around the perimeter for tired guests to spend the night or nights for that matter.
January is when the Festival in the Desert is celebrated. It is the best time to experience this because you can still fill the winter chill and it’s wonderful to make a small bonfire to make everyone warm. Mali and February to May.
Odds n' Ends
When in Mali, you might also want to visit Timbuktu which is probably its most famous city. It was a very important route during the salt and gold trade and is still a favourite tourist spot in Mali. Its capital city, Bamako where the Musee National , zoo, Maison des Artisans and botanical garden can be found. Children will love its unique zoo as well as the collection of plants at the botanical garden.
Although tourism is not yet fully developed, that is not a good enough reason to stop you from enjoying this uniquely cultured place. Enjoy its splendid native and French cuisine as well as tea and other delights. The Festival in the Desert is a once in a lifetime must experience events. Just do not forget your mosquito and bug repellent. The desert can be a bit nasty sometimes.
Although tourism is not yet fully developed, that is not a good enough reason to stop you from enjoying this uniquely cultured place. Enjoy its splendid native and French cuisine as well as tea and other delights. The Festival in the Desert is a once in a lifetime must experience events. Just do not forget your mosquito and bug repellent. The desert can be a bit nasty sometimes.
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Language Guides
French 
is one of the languages spoken in Mali. If you know of a freely available phrase book or podcast for one of the missing languages, let us know!
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