In April 2015, filmmaker Petra Buda and ethnomusicologist Edda Brandes set off for two weeks to document the musical heritage of Mauritania. They were able to record nine different music groups and the poet Leila mint Chigali in sound and vision. The results were used to produce a CD & DVD (available from BENKADI for € 25 + postage € 2.50).

Religious songs and praises of the prophet take up a large part of musical practice in Mauritania. This collection takes a look at the modern traditions of Haratin and Mgawin musicians in Nouakchott and Chinguetti. In addition to the widespread kettle drums, the lute tidinit and the flute neyfara can be heard. Contemporary bands with their very own repertoire complete the selection.

Best list, II 2016
Prize of the German Record Critics
in the category “Traditional ethnic music”

MAURITANIE : NOUAKCHOTT & CHINGUETTI (33min)
© benkadi fòli series III. Africa in pictures vol. 2. DVD 2015

This collection of music is the result of a trip we made in April 2015 to Nouakchott and Chinguetti in Mauritania, during which we recorded the musical traditions of the Moors. The musicians mostly come from the social milieu of the Haratin (former slaves) and from the ethnic groups of sub-Saharan Africa.


With financial support of the Jutta Vogel Foundation and the Ministry for foreign affairs, Germany.