Etran Finatawa, meaning "the stars of tradition," is a Niger-based ensemble formed in 2004 during the Festival au Désert near Timbuktu, Mali. The band uniquely fuses the traditional music of the Tuareg and Wodaabe nomadic cultures with modern instruments like the electric guitar, creating a distinctive "nomad blues" sound. Their debut album, *Introducing Etran Finatawa* (2006), received a nomination for the BBC Radio Award for World Music. Subsequent releases include *Desert Crossroads* (2008), *Tarkat Tajje/Let's Go* (2010), and *The Sahara Sessions* (2013). Etran Finatawa has toured extensively across Europe, the United States, Canada, and Australia, captivating audiences with their evocative melodies and rhythms that reflect the rich heritage of the Sahelian grasslands and desert. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Etran_Finatawa?utm_source=openai))