1 of 8
In January Mali's nomadic Tuareg tribes opened their annual gathering to outsiders. The fourth "Festival in the Desert" was hosted in Essakane, a Saharan oasis 65km from Timbuktu. (Words and photos: Judy Pointon, Peter King)

2 of 8
Over 2,000 people and dozens of camels waited in the heat for Mali's celebrated film-maker and Minister of Culture, Cheick Oumar Sissoko, to open the three-day event.

3 of 8
The minister finally arrived - three hours later than scheduled - accompanied by a caravan of camels carrying salt tablets brought from the salt mines in Taoudenni, northern Mali.

4 of 8
Camel races kept the audience entertained...

5 of 8
But for most people music was the highlight of the festival. Throughout the day impromoptu performances by Tuareg musicians drifted across the dunes.

6 of 8
And the hypnotic rhythms performed by Malian musicians such as Ali Farka Toure, Habib Koite and Oumou Sangare captivated the audience until the early hours.

7 of 8
International artists Damon Albarn and Manu Chao also made the long journey to perform at the event. But neither stole the stage, leaving the spotlight for their Malian hosts.

8 of 8
Festival organisers hope that it will "promote northern Mali and show that this is a peaceful region".