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Inside Africa

SHOW #27

Banding Together

From its landlocked position in West Africa, Niger sits at the crossroads, between the cultures of north and sub-Saharan Africa. Niger itself has a rich heritage and musical tradition, and the band Etran Finatawa has come to represent both. The music group unites two different desert tribes of Niger. Without diffusing their cultural identities, they meld the sounds of the Sahara, as Tim Lister reports.

Musical Mission

From herding to harmonizing, Etran Finatawa is making cultural strides. Blending different ethnic traditions of their native Niger, the group composes songs of peace and reconciliation. In his second report on the band, Tim Lister looks at their evolving musical message.

Rwanda’s Rising Acts

Contemporary tracks mixed with traditional tunes…some of Rwanda’s up-and-coming acts hope to bring their distinct sounds to the world stage. And now, with the help of a new record label, more local artists are making their voices heard.