Tuaregs, the blue men of the desert

The term “Tuareg” joins together the people of North Sahara, who are currently living in 5 different countries; Mali, Algeria, Libya, Burkina- Faso and Niger. In the course of their migration, the native people were often absorbed and integrated into the Tuaregs after having adopted their language and culture. What really unites the Tuaregs is above all their common language, with all of its variations (Tamashed, Tamahaq, Tamajaq, Tawellement, Tamagress, etc.). These languages form the link between all of the members of the community, and which belongs to its Berber roots.

The Tuareg community established itself as a cultural community whose identity revolves around a language that is based on family and social organisation

Tuaregs are Berbers. Their language, “le tamasheq outamahaq”, is without doubt one of the most important berber dialects. It is precisely in this location that it’s usage has been kept alive; including the traditional alphabet, le tifinagh, and scriptures that women were formerly responsible for handing down to future generations.

Some defining characteristics of the Tuareg Community :

  • They are essentially desert people and they mainly occupy the central Sahara

  • A nomadic civilization since the beginning. Traditionally the Tuaregs carry out their farming and commercial activities in the Saharan area. In recent times they have tended to remain stationary due to the drought period from 1974 to 1983.

  • Islam is practiced wholeheartedly in the region

Eight tribes divide the people of Kel Tamasheq. They are:

  • Kel Ajjer (Algeria et Libya)

  • Kel Ahaggar

  • Kel Aïr

  • Kel Gress

  • loullimiden KelDinniq (Niger)

  • loullimiden Kel Ataram

  • Kel Tademekkat

  • Kel Adrar (Mali)

Tuaregs population is between 1 to 1.5 million individuals, who are spread out amongst 4 inland states, where they occupy an immense territory of 2 million km².

  • 50,000 in Algeria

  • 30,000 in Libya

  • 500, 00 to 600,000 in Mali

  • 700,000 to 750,000 in Niger

  • Also includes the ancient community in the north of Burkina Faso (20,000)

A complex social organization

The Tuareg society is organized into chieftanships: confederations group together according to their families. The Tuaregs of Tabelot are mainly the Kel Owey, a confederation unanimously recognised by the Tuaregs as a community of proud, honest and brave men.