TuaregTuareg

In the shade of their tent, members of a Tuareg family In the shade of their tent, members of a Tuareg family doze through midday heat near Timbuktu in drought-doze through midday heat near Timbuktu in drought-

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Tuareg Information Tuareg Information

LocationLocation: Niger, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Senegal, Mali : Niger, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Senegal, Mali PopulationPopulation: n/a : n/a

LanguageLanguage: Temajeg : Temajeg Neighboring PeoplesNeighboring Peoples: Hausa, Fulani, Tebu, Berber : Hausa, Fulani, Tebu, Berber

Types of ArtTypes of Art: Much Tuareg art is in the form of jewelry, leather and metal saddle decorations, and finely crafted swords. : Much Tuareg art is in the form of jewelry, leather and metal saddle decorations, and finely crafted swords. HistoryHistory: Tuareg is a term used to identify numerous diverse groups of people who share a common language and a : Tuareg is a term used to identify numerous diverse groups of people who share a common language and a

common history. Tuareg camel caravans played the primary role in trans-Saharan trade until the mid-20th century when common history. Tuareg camel caravans played the primary role in trans-Saharan trade until the mid-20th century when European trains and trucks took over. Goods that once were brought north to the edge of the Sahara are now taken to European trains and trucks took over. Goods that once were brought north to the edge of the Sahara are now taken to

the coast by train and then shipped to Europe and beyond. Tuareg history begins in northern Africa where their the coast by train and then shipped to Europe and beyond. Tuareg history begins in northern Africa where their presence was recorded by Herodotus. Many groups have slowly moved southward over the last 2,000 years in response presence was recorded by Herodotus. Many groups have slowly moved southward over the last 2,000 years in response

to pressures from the north and the promise of a more prosperous land in the south. Today, many Tuareg live in to pressures from the north and the promise of a more prosperous land in the south. Today, many Tuareg live in sedentary communities in the cities bordering the Sahara that once were the great centers of trade for western Africa. sedentary communities in the cities bordering the Sahara that once were the great centers of trade for western Africa.

Although most Tuareg now practice some degree of Islam, they are not considered Arabic. Although most Tuareg now practice some degree of Islam, they are not considered Arabic.

EconomyEconomy: For thousands of years, Tuareg economy revolved around trans-Saharan trade. There are basically five trade routes : For thousands of years, Tuareg economy revolved around trans-Saharan trade. There are basically five trade routes

which extend across the Sahara from the northern Mediterranean coast of Africa to the great cities on the southern edge of the which extend across the Sahara from the northern Mediterranean coast of Africa to the great cities on the southern edge of the

Sahara. Tuareg merchants were responsible for bringing goods from these cities to the north. From there they were distributed Sahara. Tuareg merchants were responsible for bringing goods from these cities to the north. From there they were distributed

throughout the world. Because of the nature of transport and the limited space available in caravans, Tuareg usually traded in throughout the world. Because of the nature of transport and the limited space available in caravans, Tuareg usually traded in

luxury items, things which took up little space and on which a large profit could be made. Tuareg were also responsible for luxury items, things which took up little space and on which a large profit could be made. Tuareg were also responsible for

bringing enslaved people north from west Africa to be sold to Europeans and Middle Easterners. Many Tuareg settled into the bringing enslaved people north from west Africa to be sold to Europeans and Middle Easterners. Many Tuareg settled into the

communities with which they traded, serving as local merchants and representatives for their friends and family who continued communities with which they traded, serving as local merchants and representatives for their friends and family who continued

to trade. to trade.

Political SystemsPolitical Systems: Historically, Tuareg society was divided between those who tended the land and those who did not. At one : Historically, Tuareg society was divided between those who tended the land and those who did not. At one

time, tilling the land was considered the work of the lower classes, while the upper classes reaped the benefits of trading. time, tilling the land was considered the work of the lower classes, while the upper classes reaped the benefits of trading.

Usually groups of sedentary Tuareg would pay allegience to a locally appointed headman, who in turn would report to the noble Usually groups of sedentary Tuareg would pay allegience to a locally appointed headman, who in turn would report to the noble

who considered the village his domain. As time has passed, however, these sedentary farmers have been able to accumulate who considered the village his domain. As time has passed, however, these sedentary farmers have been able to accumulate

wealth while the trans-Saharan trade routes diminished in importance. They were also given political status by colonial and wealth while the trans-Saharan trade routes diminished in importance. They were also given political status by colonial and

postcolonial administrations. postcolonial administrations.

ReligionReligion: Most, if not all, Tuareg are followers of Islam. Among many Tuareg this practice is nominal, and while daily prayers : Most, if not all, Tuareg are followers of Islam. Among many Tuareg this practice is nominal, and while daily prayers

are made to Allah, strict adherance to other religious requirements is rare. Most of the feasts are observed and celebrated with are made to Allah, strict adherance to other religious requirements is rare. Most of the feasts are observed and celebrated with

relish, but the fasting that is required during Ramadan is often excused because Tuareg travel so much. Like most followers of relish, but the fasting that is required during Ramadan is often excused because Tuareg travel so much. Like most followers of

Islam in northern Africa, Tuareg believe in the continuous presence of various spirits (djinns). Divination is accomplished Islam in northern Africa, Tuareg believe in the continuous presence of various spirits (djinns). Divination is accomplished

through means of the Koran. Most men wear protective amulets which contain verses from the Koran. Men also begin wearing through means of the Koran. Most men wear protective amulets which contain verses from the Koran. Men also begin wearing

a veil at age 25 which conceals their entire face excluding their eyes. This veil is never removed, even in front of family a veil at age 25 which conceals their entire face excluding their eyes. This veil is never removed, even in front of family

members. Women are not veiled. Tuareg belong to the Maliki sect of Islam, resulting from the teachings of the great prophet, El members. Women are not veiled. Tuareg belong to the Maliki sect of Islam, resulting from the teachings of the great prophet, El

Maghili, who came among them in the early 16th century Maghili, who came among them in the early 16th century

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