Festival au Desert 2008: First look

Guardian Unlimited Music writer Rosie Swash outside the Timbuktu airport, our point of arrival in Mali Photograph: Shehani Fernando/guardian.co.uk

Guardian Unlimited's translator who goes by the name Dicko Photograph: Shehani Fernando/guardian.co.uk

Unfortunately, the Guardian Unlimited team rode a 4x4 rather than camels to get from Timbuktu to Essakane, where the Festival au Desert is located. Unfortunately, because the 4x4 broke down part of the way there Photograph: Shehani Fernando/guardian.co.uk

Crowds gather at Festival au Desert's main stage. As you can see, it literally is a festival in the desert Photograph: Shehani Fernando/guardian.co.uk

Khaira Arby, one of Mali's greatest singers, described by some as 'the queen of music in Timbuktu' Photograph: Shehani Fernando/guardian.co.uk

A Tuareg performer. Festival au Desert is committed to celebrating the culture and history of the Tuareg people, a rebellious, mysterious tribe who, though nomadic, have their roots in the Saharan region of Mali Photograph: Shehani Fernando/guardian.co.uk

A member of Takumbawt, a local performance group Photograph: Shehani Fernando/guardian.co.uk

Another local Tuareg performer Photograph: Shehani Fernando/guardian.co.uk

An important part of music festivals anywhere: the loos Photograph: Shehani Fernando/guardian.co.uk

An audience member enjoying the sun and the music Photograph: Shehani Fernando/guardian.co.uk