| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
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 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 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
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.
|
|
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 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 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
communities with which they traded, serving as
local merchants and representatives for their
friends and family who continued to trade.
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. 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 wealth while the
trans-Saharan trade routes diminished in
importance. They were also given political
status by colonial and postcolonial
administrations. |
|
|
|
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 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,
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 |
|
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.
Much Tuareg art is in the form of
jewelry, leather and metal saddle decorations, and finely crafted swords.
The Tuareg people inhabit a large area
covering almost all the middle and
western
Sahara
like,
Niger,
Nigeria,
Mali,
Algeria,
Libya. |
|
|
|
|
|
