Al Bilali Soudan is a Tuareg band from Mali that plays acoustic music rooted in tradition. The family members of Al Bilali Soudan from Timbuktu are sought after musicians and griots (traveling musicians and storytellers). Led by Abellow Yattara, the band is a leading Tamashek (Tuareg) music act, characterized by a continuous exchange between the tehardent (lute), vocals, and hand percussion.

This genre of music has been performed from at least the 16th century by Tuareg griots to celebrate the end of harvest and the changing seasons, heroic warriors, and noble families. In contrast to Tuareg contemporary acts like Tinariwen and Bombino, Al Bilali Soudan take an acoustic approach to Tamashek folk music traditions.

Abellow Yattara (sometimes spelled Abellou or Aballou Yattara) is accompanied by his uncle Aboubacrine Yattara, forming the group’s core. They are joined by their sons Mohamed Ag Abellaw and Thialé Ag Aboubacrine who bring youth and energy to the music. Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.