http://afropopshop.org<img src='http://files.afropopshop.org/images/15436/sahara_tierra_mia.jpg'>Nayim Alal comes from West Sahara, a country that has been on the losing side of history since Spain decided to &quot;give&quot; it to Mauritania and Morocco, rather than grant it independence from the Colonial yoke. The people of the region, the Sahrauis have been pressing for their independence for years, and yet have maintained their dignity while residing in refugee camps and enduring all kinds of privations. Alal comes from a family of poets and musicians, and learned to play the accordion before he set hands upon a guitar. He is a singer and songwriter who is considered to be one of the innovaters in the tradition of West Saharan music or &quot;Haoul.&quot; The charm of this video is in its intimacy unselfconscious gathering of music makers (some plugged, some unplugged) and their extended family, juxtaposed with striking scenes of daily life in the camps. <p><br /></p>Thu, 20 Nov 2008 03:44:31 -0600http://nayimalal.afropopshop.org/#album_15436