The Tuareg of Niger
A people through the agesThe people of the Tuareg consists of about one million persons who live in the southern border areas of the Sahara, divided into the five states Niger, Libya, Algeria, Mali and Burkino Faso. Originally they were all nomads shaped by the extreme climate conditions of their surroundings.
They were already known to ancient historians as Herodot and the legends of the Tuareg indicate a long history. It is certain that they belong to the Berber people, the original inhabitants of the northern Sahara . They are rather fair-skinned and have mixed with African tribes in the course of time.
Though they think of themselves as a big unity the Tuareg are divided into several tribes and clans. Symbolizing their identy they call themselves „Kel Tamashek“, the people who speaks Tamashek. They have an own language and an own script called „Tifinagh“.
Though they think of themselves as a big unity the Tuareg are divided into several tribes and clans. Symbolizing their identy they call themselves „Kel Tamashek“, the people who speaks Tamashek. They have an own language and an own script called „Tifinagh“.
It is composed of simple geometrical signs, 21 to 27 signs are used according to the region. The Tifinagh is written by tradition on stones, trunks, in the sand and is very difficult to read.
The Tuareg have developed a high and very popular art of poetry. They recite their poems in the light of the camp fire accompanied by the sound of the Inzad, a one-stringed instrument.
When I was crossing and leaving
the Tinileft Valley
I foud a piece of luck
Which had been perfect
Had it but lasted!
This luck was delicious
Until the day when everything changed.
Now as it is broken
I wish Ihad never known it!
From the book "Tuareg Poetry"
In ancient times the „lords of the desert“ had strict class rules. The noblemen occupied the highest rank. They were warriors by tradition, camel drivers and the political leaders of the community. The were obliged to care for the welfare of the tribe.
They were served by by the vassals who looked for the cattle, the caravan trade. They had power over the tenants and the labourers in the oasis. The position of the labourers has long been discussed. Some think they were slaves, other sources stress that they rather were dependent labourers who also mixed with other Tuareg classes.
Nowadays the special position of the blacksmiths is the only survival of the former hierarchy. They produce swords, the traditional well-known silver jewellery and the daily used objects of the nomads. The Enaden are said to have magical power, therefore they are despised as well as feared. 
Their wives are skilful leather workers who make with dyed leather the mats and bags which are necessary for the nomads‘ household.
In spite of the changing times the Tuareg love their traditions , they must, however, adapt to the new age.
In spite of the changing times the Tuareg love their traditions , they must, however, adapt to the new age.
"Tuareg" is a nickname given them by the Arabs and means „ deserted by God“. Most Tuareg are Muslim, but besides the rules of the Koran they follow their own traditions.
The women are unveiled, they have a right to a say and participate in the discussions which take place around the teapot. Their sarcasm and abuses are feared. The married couples live mostly monogamous, divorces are frequent. Contrary to the Arabic Islam also women have the right to demand divorce, as the Tuareg emphasize. A man who beats his wife is ostracized by the community.
Following the traditional rules is a matter of honour for every Targi; the code of honour called „Ashaqq“ is an essential part of their social traditions. This is the self-determined and strict moral value system to which every Targi is bound to. They keep up such ideals as courage, endurance, modesty, generosity, intelligence and knowledge combined with beauty, elegance and equanimity.
There have been big changes in the Tuareg regions during the last twenty years. It is not possible to stop the influence of the „modern world“on the nomads of the Sahara. The former lords of the desert have become an impoverished population who has been excluded from development during many decades.
The forgotten nomads of the Sahara fights for their survival!
The term Tuareg stands for free, independent nomad peoples in the endlessSahara , romanticised and surrounded by wistful myths. The reality, however, is completely different. The dream of an own nomad state is over once for all, poverty is universal.
The term Tuareg stands for free, independent nomad peoples in the endless
They were forced to settledness by national frontiers, civil wars and expulsions. When the Tuareg defended themselves, they were exposed to the mercy and arbitrariness of the civil servants and the military. They were suppressed without mercy and persecuted, their wells were poisoned and the access mined.
In addition droughts lasting for years, economic and political discrimination threatened their existence. The families torn apart by migration must fight for survival.They have hardly the possibility to build up a new existence in settledness where the slightest reason might cause a humanitarian catastrophe.
Today the Tuareg nomads are unable to live solely on their herds. They have to increase their income by a side job e.g. by cultivating gardens – though agriculture was alien to them – as car or camel drivers for tourists or as foreign workers in Libya or Algeria.
The Europeans have held until today to their myth of the blue men of the desert. They created a picture and nourish their imagination with it. You might say that they wish to protect the Tuareg like animal species threatened of dying out in order to continue dreaming about us. But we living Tuareg are responsible for our families and the future of our children. We must face reality, we have to adapt to the circumstances and, above all, we must keep our dignity.
Hawad