Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Tuareg
The Tuareg are a nomadic people who traditionally roamed the Sahara from Mauritania to
western Sudan; they now live in Niger, Mali, Libya and Algeria, with smaller communities
in Burkina Faso and Nigeria. Tuareg origins lie with the Berbers of North Africa (their lan-
guage, Tamashek, has Berber roots). Droughts and political conflict have ensured that few
Tuareg remain purely nomadic.
The Tuareg traditionally follow a rigid status system, with nobles, blacksmiths and
slaves all occupying strictly delineated hierarchical positions. The veils, or
taguelmoust,
that are the symbols of a Tuareg's identity serve as protection against the desert sand and
wind-borne spirits, and as a social requirement; it is considered improper for a Tuareg man
to show his face to a man of higher status.
Tuareg women - who are not veiled and who enjoy an unusual degree of independence -
weave artificial strands into their plaits to which they attach cowrie shells. They also can be
recognised by their large pieces of silver jewellery.
Famous members of the Senegalese Wolof community include musician Youssou N'Dour, the late film-
maker Ousmane Sembène, and the former president of Senegal, Abdoulaye Wade.
