Hacène Zermani (born 1958 in Algiers,

Algeria ) , image_map = Algeria (centered orthographic projection).svg , map_caption = , image_map2 = , capital = Algiers , coordinates = , largest_city = capital , relig ...

), known by the stage name Takfarinas, is an Algerian Kabyle Yal musician. Takfarinas took his surname from the ancient warrior of North Africa

Tacfarinas Tacfarinas ( Latinised form of Berber Tikfarin or Takfarin; died AD 24) was a Numidian Berber from Thagaste, located in the province of Proconsular Africa (now Souk Ahras, in Algeria), who was a deserter from the Roman army who led his own Mus ...

who fought against the presence of the Romans in Algeria. Since 1979 Takfarinas has lived in France. However, his songs promote and celebrate the Kabyle culture into which he was born. Takfarinas is perhaps best known for his voice which covers a wide range and the 'takfa' which is based on a traditional lute like instrument which he has modified by adding a second neck. Each neck provides a distinct sound, one neck is feminine and the other masculine. Nowadays the takfa has been replaced by an electric half-drum

mandole The Algerian mandole (mandol, mondol) is a steel-string fretted instrument resembling an elongated mandolin, widely used in Algerian music such as Chaabi, Kabyle music and Nuubaat (Andalusian classical music). The name can cause confusion, as " ...

. Like the takfa this has two fingerboards. The advantage of this new instrument is that it is able to create the large concert sound which he now needs.

Musical career

Takfarinas – or Tak as his fans often call him – comes from a long line of musicians and showed his future innovative skills with musical instruments when aged only six years old he made a guitar using an oil cylinder and brake cable. As a youngster, Takfarinas was interested in the music of artists like Chaâbi, M'Hamed El Anka,

Cheikh El Hasnaoui Cheikh El Hasnaoui (1910–2002) was a Berber singer born in a small town near Tizi Ouzou in Algeria. Career He sang Algerian chaabi music, and was, along with Slimane Azem, responsible for laying the foundations of modern popular Kabyle music i ...

and

Slimane Azem Slimane Azem (September 19, 1918 – January 31, 1983) was an Algerian singer and poet, born in Agouni Gueghrane (kabylie region),that composed hundreds of songs in more than 40 years of artistic life. A great connoisseur and admirer of the po ...

. In 1976, he recorded his first music on cassettes in Algiers, but his position as a singer and musician was strengthened when he recorded his first album in France in 1979. In 1981, he formed the group Agraw with Boujema Semaouni that lasted for many years. He released ''Wa i telha'' and ''Arrach'' both in 1986, selling a million copies. In 1989, he released ''Irgazen'' and ''Mi d ih'', a double CD, and this brought him international recognition. In 1994, he released another album ''Yebb’a rremman'' which did well in the European charts. But it is with his album ''Zaâma Zaâma'' and the title song from the album that he achieved his biggest recognition. It remains a world music favorite in clubs and in touristic resorts where the dance tune is popular with accompanying synchronized dance moves. Takfarinas changed musical direction with his album ''Paix et salut'' which was in homage to the Algerian artists who were victims of the repression. Then in 2004, he released his album ''Honneur aux dames''.

Discography

Albums

* 1979: ''Yewwa rremman'' * 1980: ''Admenten'' * 1983: ''Serreh i weqcic'' * 1986: ''Way telha'' * 1986: ''Arrach'' * 1989: ''Irgazen'' / ''Ini-d ih'' (double album) * 1993: ''Romane'' * 1996: ''Tebbeg Riri'' / ''Awi Nniya'' * 1999: ''Zaâma Zaâma'' * 2000: ''Quartier Tixeraïne'' * 2004: ''Paix et salut'' * 2004: ''Honneur aux dames'' * 2011: ''Lwaldine'' / ''Inchallah'' (double album) * 2012: ''Chouya CHouya'' * 2021: ''Uliw Tsayri''

Awards

In 1999 Takfarinas won a KORA All African Music Award in the category ''Best North African Artist''.

External links

Takfarinas Official website

Takfarinas Concert – Yal Music

Takfarinas Biography
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Takfarinas on Wiki Musique – Author Mario Scolas
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Takfarinas on Wiki Musique – Author Mario Scolas
{{Authority control 1958 births Living people Kabyle people Berber musicians Algerian mondol players 20th-century Algerian male singers 21st-century Algerian male singers