Despite censorship, Mali's musicians play on

Artists in Mali, a country torn apart by al-Qaeda linked militants accused of rape, murder and enforcing strict forms of Sharia law, say their music and culture can never be silenced.  In the historic region of Timbuctu, all music except the Koranic verse has been banned.  It means the famous ‘Festival in the desert’ which has been running for more than 10 years attracting top names like Bono and Robert Plant, can no longer take place there.

(courtesy of the artist)

But as Tamasin Ford reports from Bamako, artists are fighting back.  To listen to this report, please click on this link to the NPR's website.