The Tuareg, estimated at 3 million people (1.5 million according to official figures), live in the central Sahara desert at the fringes of the Sahel, a territory that covers the periphery of five different countries, namely Libya, Algeria, Niger, Mali and Upper Volta (now Burkina Faso). They are at the same time nomads, semi-nomads, sedentary, and city dwellers.
The question of territory continues to be an issue since the beginning of 20th century as explained by the famous anthropologist Hélène Claudot-Hawad in her renown research. Prior to the establishment of the colonial order, the Tuareg saw themselves as people of a geographical area delineated by the following boundaries: to the northeast Ajjer, to the northwest Ahaggar, to the southeast Aïr and to the southwest Tademekkat, to which the Azawagh, the "middle" has been added.
What should be emphasized is that these political and geographic boundaries resemble the structure of a tent. The tent is in essence what symbolizes the matrilineal aspect of the Tuareg society.
By being identified with her tent, which she owns, inherits from her mother and passes on to her daughters, the woman has always been an essential pillar of this body to which she gives meaning. However, the organization of Tuareg society has neither been respected by colonization which has tribalized and divided it, severely narrowing its identity, nor by the nation states where their territory is currently located, defined by fixed borders and closed boundaries. These developments are entirely contradicting the very essence of the Tuareg conception of territorial delineation by the symbolic tent.
Blessed with mineral wealth (oil, gas, uranium, etc.), these territories continue to attract the commercial interests of great powers. In areas where Tuaregs do not have rights to exist in their traditional ways of life, they have settled in or around cities since the 1970s and 1980s. In Tassili N’Ajjer alone, which is the theme of this reportage, 80% have given up their ancient nomadic lifestyle.
For those who still have a nomadic lifestyle, women continue to be the mainstay of society.
Ténéré means desert in Tamachek, the Tuareg’s language. It designates both the place where emptiness reigns and where the survival of human beings and livestock is harsh. A space of freedom which shields the territories and shifting borders of nomads. A zone of vestiges erased by time, where all living things must fight for their survival. It is to the ténéré that the Tuareg identify, whether they are nomadic, semi-nomadic or sedentary. It is from it that they learn that no being or object can exist without the protection of a shelter. Here, near Tin Merzouga.
Enjoyed your colorful photography and descriptions. My husband and I will be traveling to the Sahara around Djanet in March for a few weeks. As it is Ramadan we will regretfully not be able to attend any weddings.