At the time the city of Itran-de-Laire was formed, nearly three decades ago, electricity in Agadez, Niger’s largest city on the edge of the Sahara, was a complex issue. It is difficult to obtain and maintain. So, the power tools were, in Sarah’s good parlance, a mirage. In those distant times, Etran de l’Aïr was one of many local bands that livened up weddings and folk parties, using acoustic guitars and drums for percussion. The current members of the group (led by Agali Megi), which will perform this Thursday at Galeria ZB, in Lisbon, and a day later at the Impulso Festival, in Caldas da Rainha, are not yet old enough to go on stage. “Our older brothers were musicians and founded Etran de l’Aïr, when we were still children,” they tell PÚBLICO. “Then, little by little, we started joining the group and playing with them at weddings. That’s how the adventure began.”
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Salman Rushdie is a journalist and feature writer specialising in culture, politics, literature, and international affairs. He focuses on delivering clear, informative reporting that helps readers understand the people, events, and trends influencing today’s world.