Badawi Saharawi Music Archives
DJ Bedouin Sahrawi has curated this archive of Saharawi music, some of which is available online free or to download!
Badawi Sahrawi Music Archives (@badawisahrawiarchives) is the first Saharawi music label and archive set up and run by the music producer and DJ Bedouin Sahrawi, a refugee raised in Spain. Currently based in the Canary Islands, his heart is rooted in the Sahrawi refugee camps and in the Sahrawi cause.
DJ Bedouin Sahrawi has been collecting Sahrawi music for decades. He is in the process of digitising all of it to release through the Badawi label. Saharawi political folk music dates back to the 1970s and has played in integral role in the Sahrawi struggle for independence, with political anthems creating a national identity.
“In the past, Sahrawi music was only accessible for a few people that knew about the cause. Now we can promote the music online worldwide and support Sahrawi musicians...It’s a way to present our music to the world.”
This on going project serves to document the contemporary world of Saharawi music. Saharawi political folk music dates back to the 1970s and has played in integral role in the Sahrawi struggle for independence, with political anthems creating a national identity.
Music is a central part of Saharawi culture – both in daily life and traditions and as a tool of expression used for political resistance. As the Saharawi way of life is increasingly threatened, music serves as a connection to tradition and a way of reaffirming the uniqueness of Saharawi culture.
Mawja, 2024
by Aziza Brahim
Voiced with deep passion and grace, Aziza Brahim’s music adeptly travels the expanse between her Western Saharan roots and Barcelona, the European cosmopolis where she now lives. Aziza is both a contemporary sonic poet and a prominent and eloquent spokesperson for the Saharawi people and their ongoing struggle for recognition and justice.
El Wali, 1994
by Tiris
Recorded in Belgium in 1994 while on tour, this version of El Wali performed a style reflecting the popular music of the refugee camps. “Tiris” is a refreshing production with none of the typical World Music polish of the 90s. This led to its unsuccessful release in the West. Originally released only in as a small run CD for OXFAM Belgium, the CD quickly disappeared and is impossible to find. In West Africa, however, it became a viral success and the defining representative Sahrawi music. In 2012 a track was released on “Music from Saharan Cellphones Vol 2” and only after an arduous search over 8 years (leading through Spain to the Canary Islands to Tindouf and eventually to Belgium) the artists, the studio, and the original recording were tracked down.
Sahari, 2019
by Aziza Brahim
Sahari is a truly captivating release, with melodies that will linger long in the memory. There is great power to be found in the juxtaposition of the hurt, anger and resistance with the unbridled optimism in the dream for the end to the struggle, but the album speaks to more than just the specifics of Western Sahara, its hope is that the world will learn not only to open its heart and mind to the Saharawi, but to all refugees.
Abbar el Hamada, 2016
by Aziza Brahim
Abbar el Hamada (Across the Hamada), is a commanding and compassionate musical statement about, and for, the tumultuous age in which we live.
Soutak, 2014
by Aziza Brahim
Brahim’s earliest studio album is a tour de force showing her balance of vocals and instrumental harmony.
El Aaiun egdat, 2012
by Mariem Hassan
El Aaiun edgat is the third album of Saharawi singer Mariem Hassan. This album reached Number 1 on the World Music Charts Europe in June and July 2012.
Beatte Harab, 2010
Doueh
Doueh is a four-piece family band from Western Sahara. Doueh (the father) is the guitarist.
Beatte Harab, 2009
by Mariem Hassen
With a clean sound and vibrant vocalization, from the very first track, Mariem delivers a blossoming first album.
Mariem Hassan con Leyoad, 2002
by Mariem Hassen & Leyoad
A collective album by Mariem Hassan and the Saharawi group Leyoad.
Deseos, 2005
by Mariem Hassen
Debut solo album. This album contains Hassan's most known song 'La Intifada'.
Sahrauis: Music Of The Western Sahara, 1999
Compilation Album by assorted Saharawi Artists
Three-disc box set of Saharawi music.
CD1, entitled 'A Pesar De Las Heridas' features Saharawi artists such as Mariem Hassan and Aziza Brahim.
CD 2, entitled 'Sahara Mi Tierra' include guitarist Nayim Alal and Mahfoud Aliyen.
CD 3, entitled 'Polisario Vencerá', is a re-edition of a 1982 album by the Saharawi band Chahid El Uali.
Starry Nights in Western Sahara, 1993
Compilation Album by assorted Saharawi Artists
Starry Nights in Western Sahara is an album compiled by Sandblast founder Danielle Smith. The majority of the songs are sung by Umm Mekiya, a woman notorious for her voice. Songs range from traditional love songs to contemporary songs of political protest, accompanied with rhythmic clapping, lutes and tidinit.