On this week’s Global Notes we look at the legacy of a music festival that used to be held in the north of Mali.

Festival in the Desert started out as an annual gathering for the nomadic Taureg people to come together to share information and make decisions. There was also a lot of music and dancing.

The festival grew to include musical artists from all over Africa and Europe, but because of the threat from Islamist fighters in the region it was canceled and moved. It was supposed to make a comeback this year but was called off again because of violence.

Morning Shift and Radio M host Tony Sarabia will give us a snapshot of some of the past performers and we’ll talk with someone who has attended the festival.