Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
life would be impossible without them. Blacksmiths produce weapons and jewellery, and they're also healers,
herbalists, poets, singers, skilled sacrificers of animals, advisers in matters of tradition and the custodians of oral
traditions. Noble Tuareg women even confide in the
inaden,
using them as go-betweens in marriage negotiations
and as mediators in love affairs. So important are they that no Tuareg festival could be complete without
inaden
participation, and anyone who tries to prevent them from attending is shunned by the whole community.
Other communities in which blacksmiths play a special role include the Bambara, Senoufo and Wolof.
