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The Tuaregs are a nomadic Berber people. They inhabit the Saharan regions of North Africa (Niger, Mali, Libya, Algeria and Burkina Faso). Tuareg is an Arabic contemptuous term meaning "abandoned by God". They call themselves "Imohag" i.e. "free men". The Tuareg dominated the trans-Saharan camel caravans which were the main stay of regional commerce until the 20th century. They became Muslims, but preserved many pre-Islamic traditions and do not strictly follow many Islamic rituals. The Tuareg for years resisted European domination. Among the Tuareg the women have a great freedom and participate in family and tribal decisions. Descent and inheritance are both through the maternal line. We have only limited information on clothing at this time. The men cover the face (today only in some circumstance), the women never and the young children commonly go naked.
The Tuaregs are a nomadic Berber people. Tuareg is an Arabic contemptuous term meaning "abandoned by God". They call themselves "Imohag" i.e. "free men". Ethnically they are a diverse group who now share a common language.
Recorded Tuareg history begins in northern Africa where their presence was first recorded by the Greek historian Herodotus. The Tuareg like other some tribal groups have gradualy migrated south as a result of presure from northern tribes and better-watered land in the south. The Tuareg were once a nomadic people, but now live largely sedentary lives. They have settled arond the major towns of the southern boundary of the Sahara. These cities were once the great centers of trade which connected north and central Africa in the west. The Tuareg for years resisted European domination.
The Tuareg inhabit the western Saharan regions of North Africa (Niger, Mali, Libya, Algeria and Burkina Faso). The nomadic Tuareg gradually settled around the major commercial cities of the southern Sahara. At first this facilitated commerce because the Tuareg in the cities could cooperate with the nomadic tribesmen and the caravan tradesmen. Now most Tuareg have settled in the cities.
The Tuareg dominated the trans-Saharan camel caravans which were the main stay of regional commerce until the 20th century. The Tuareg profited by dominating the trade caravan routes between north asnd central Africa. For two milenia, central African products reached north Africa and Europe through these Tuareg caravan routes. For most of this era there was no or very limited seaborn trade. As with the Silk Road in Asia, the Saharan caravans had to ficus on extremely valuable luxury goods to justify the cost of transport. In addition to goods the Tuareg brough captured people north for sales as slaves. The Tuareg has suffered both with advent of modern overland transport. In addition African countries more commonly now trade with European countries and much of this trade is conducted ny maritime transport. These changes have adversely affected the Tuareg economically.
The Tuareg became Muslims with Arabic invasion of North Africa. Tuareg follow Maliki sect of Islam. This is a sect which is based on the prophet, El Maghili, who preached in the early 16th century. While Muslims, the Tuareg have preserved many pre-Islamic traditions and do not strictly follow many Islamic rituals. The Tuareg normally comply with daily prayers and festivals, but fasting is much less commonly performed. Divination is popular and the Koran is commonly used for such insights.
Traditionally there were two basic groups in Tuareg society. One group was nomadic and engaged in commerce through cammel caravans accross the Sahaa. Another group was more sedentary and engaged in agricuulture. As wealth flowed from the caravan trade, the nomadic traders looked down on the generally less prosperous farmers. Agriculture labor came to be seen as lowe lass endevor. The sedentary Tuareg were organized into communities dominated by village nobels and community headmen. The status of the nomadic Tuareg has shifted in recent years. The French colonial authorities tended to prefer the sedentary Tuareg as more manageble. In addition the decline of the Sahara caravan trade has undermined the wealth of the trader class. Among the Tuareg the women have a great freedom and participate in family and tribal decisions. Descent and inheritance are both through the maternal line.
We have only limited information on clothing at this time. Men commonly wear protective amulets which have Koranic verses. Traditionally men began wearing a veil at age 25. The veil is worn even within the family. This convention has substantially to decline, but still exists. The men cover the face (today only in some circumstance), the women never and the young children commonly go naked.
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