Young woman from the town of Hombori, which lies between Mopti and Gao on the edge of the Hombori-Tondo table mountain. This area is inhabited by the Gurma tribe. - Mali - 1969

Women carrying their household goods on their heads - Tahoua - Niger - 1970

Girls as well as boys help to bring the cattle to the drinking trough. - Eskiman well - Niger - 1970

Joining forces makes it easier to lift the water bag - Eskiman well - Niger - 1970

After watering, the cattle are returned to the surrounding pastures. - Eskiman well - Niger - 1970

This simple tent is the dwelling of a family Bororo - Ekisman well - Niger - 1970

This young Peul wears the typical hat of the Zinder region - Southern Niger - 1970

A Fula woman adorned with rich jewelry from Boré, located in the Mopti area. - Mali - 1969

The climate in Timbuktu is desert-like, there is always a hot, dry wind (harmattan) blowing from the Sahara. - Traders sell their wares at a market in Timbuktu. - Mali - 1969

Built in 1581, the Sankóre Mosque in Timbuktu has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988. It is a courtyard mosque. This lies as an inner courtyard in the centre of the complex. The minaret is located on the south side. Clay, which was specifically shaped, served as the building material. - Timbuktu - Mali - 1969

At the well of Ekisman - Early practice for those who want to become real shepherds. - Niger - 1970

At the well of Ekisman - Early practice for those who want to become a real shepherdess. - Niger - 1970

There are different interpretations of the name Timbuktu: "well of Buktu", "the far well" or "place in the dunes". - Drawing water at a well in the surroundings of Timbuktu - Mali - 1969

Thirst is quenched directly at the well - Ekisman - Niger - 1970

You can even use the precious water from Eskiman's well to wash your hair. - Niger - 1970

Girls as well as boys help to bring the cattle to the drinking trough. - Eskiman well - Niger - 1970

Overview of the well of Ekismane. The herders distribute the water to the watering troughs. The cattle wait for their turn. - Niger - 1970

In Mopti, the inhabitants are ethnically heterogeneous. A high percentage are Fula. There are also Marka, Bambara, Bozo, Bobo and, in splinter groups, Mossi. - Mopti - 1969

These girls are a splendid example of the Fula tribe found between Douentza and Hombori in Mali. The graceful harmony of the fine features, illuminated by an intelligent smile, is remarkable. The Fulbe belong to the large family of the Peul. - Mali - 1969

This girl is a splendid example of the Fulbe tribe found between Douentza and Hombori in Mali. The graceful harmony of the fine features, illuminated by an intelligent smile, are remarkable. The Fulbe belong to the large family of the Peul. - Mali - 1969

Cattle wait patiently in the midday heat until they are led to the drinking trough - Eskiman well - Niger - 1970

Peul Bororo men on the way to the well of Eskiman - Niger - 1970

Filingué is located in a zone where agropastoralism is practised. The large market of Filingué is mainly used by pastoralists and millet farmers, members of the Fulbe and Tuareg ethnic groups. The town's inhabitants struggle with poor nutrition, lack of access to drinking water and problems with water drainage in rainy seasons. - Water transport by calabash - Niger - 1970

Nomads on the move north of Filingué - Niger - 1970

A young Fula woman at the well of Tébaram, located in an area where agropastoralism is predominant. - Niger - 1970

Water is an absolute necessity, but in general it is neither so scarce nor so inaccessible that one cannot live in its comforting proximity. The charming image of the water-carriers of Tebaram, between Tahoua and Filingue (Niger), brings to our attention one of the main occupations of the Saharan nomads: obtaining the precious liquid, transporting it and storing it. The calabashes indicate a semi-sedentary tribe, because the caravan driver uses a tube made of goatskin, the famous gerba. Before each departure, it is the one that demands all attention: One is loaded onto each camel to prevent them all being lost or damaged together, one inspects its condition, its stitching, the straps that hold its closure and the ropes on which it hangs. Rightly so - after all, a single carelessness can mean death. - Niger - 1970

The lens has captured the biblical-like image of the bozo riding to the well of Ekisman. It has often been overlooked that cattle also served as pack animals and as such played a major role in Saharan civilisation. - Niger - 1970

With the help of the dromedary, the water is lifted while the cattle wait patiently until they are led to the watering place. A spectacle that is repeated daily. - Well of Eskiman - Niger - 1970

The household goods of a Fula family - Eskiman well - Niger - 1970

A Peul Bororo woman mends a garment in the tent. She wears an amazing amount of silver rings on her ears. - Eskiman well - Niger - 1970

The irreproachability of their bearing stems partly from the fact that they learn very early to carry heavy loads on their heads. Typical of their breed, apart from the graceful gesture of this Bororo carrier, are the very large eyes, the delicacy of the mouth and the rather oriental imprint of the head. The ears, pierced all along the rim by many holes, allow to wear amazing amounts of silver rings. Two cords serve to hold two different collections of amulets, to which . . . Safety pins are added! The chignon, worn over the forehead, recalls the Phrygian hairstyle of figures in rock paintings in the Tassili. - Fountain of Eskiman - Niger - 1970

Woman from the Peul-Bororo people at the well of Ekisman. The Bororo are animists and live in an endogamous society where you only marry within your own clan, so they are considered the "purest" Peul people. - Well of Eskiman - Niger - 1970

Mariam is a Peul Bororo woman. The Bororo tribe is fundamentally animistic and forms an endogamous society. Marriages are therefore necessarily within the group, so the Bororo consider themselves the "purest" of the Peulh. - Eskiman well - Niger - 1970

The woman plays a very important role in the society of the Peul (Fula), and she has a lot of freedom, but she also respects the customs of her race that have come down to her from the ancestors. - Eskiman well - Niger - 1970

The bow is one of the "revolutionary" developments of the Neolithic. It had the same consequences for its owners as the first rifles. The posture of the Bororo-Peul hunter dressed in leather testifies to the permanence of the traditional gesture, holding his bow much like the one on the rock painting of Jabbaren, Tassili n' Ajjer. - Fountain of Eskiman - Niger - 1970

Who radiates more joie de vivre than this young Bororo woman? Typical of her costume are the small bodice that leaves part of the body uncovered, the heavy earrings, the amulets worn on the chest. Married for two years, this peul woman still has no child, for these prudent, balanced people have been practising a kind of birth control for a very long time, with the virtue of the simple having the greatest effect. The woman plays a very important role in the society of the Peul (Fula), and she has a lot of freedom, but she also respects the customs of her race that have come down to her from the ancestors. - Eskiman well - Niger - 1970

It is difficult to find a people with more sense of pomp and adornment than the Peul. At festivals, one can witness true competitions for male beauty. The Peul are extremely ostentatious - as far as poverty does not set natural limits to this. But it is most interesting to note that these men, whose effeminate demeanour conceals a legendary courage, like their neighbours, the Tuareg, know the ancient custom of the courtyard of love. At festivals, the participants never refrain from carrying this long sword, so similar to the takuba from the Hoggarm massif. They make up their faces with vivid colours, saffron yellow, red and white predominating, and one would come to no end to make an inventory of the jewels and amulets they are wont to spread out on these occasions. To win the approval of the lady of one's choice, one must know how to show oneself off, and looks, grimaces and contortions count.... This is what the beautiful spectacle observed at the fountain of Ekisman is all about. - Niger - 1970

Until a few decades ago, ethnography did not credit the Peul (Fula) with a prehistoric origin; but we did not yet know what prehistory has since revealed to us. This Bororo Peul, found between Abalak and In Gall, is a descendant of the Neolithic cattle herders. Although dark-skinned, but copper-coloured rather than black, the Peul may well be the heirs of the Neolithic people of Sudanese tradition, who had emerged from the mixture of several races, at least one of which came from the Mediterranean area. - Eskiman well - Niger - 1970

This young girl from the Peul-Bororo people, photographed near the well of Ekisman, may be descended from distant relatives on the upper reaches of the Nile. - Niger - 1970

It is difficult to find a people with more sense of pomp and adornment than the Peul (Fula). At festivals, one can witness true competitions for male beauty. The Peul are extremely ostentatious - as far as poverty does not set natural limits to this. But it is most interesting to note that these men, whose effeminate demeanour conceals a legendary courage, like their neighbours, the Tuareg, know the ancient custom of the courtyard of love. At festivals, the participants never refrain from carrying this long sword, so similar to the takuba from the Hoggarm massif. They make up their faces with vivid colours, saffron yellow, red and white predominating, and one would come to no end to make an inventory of the jewels and amulets they are wont to spread out on these occasions. To win the approval of the lady of one's choice, one must know how to show oneself off, and looks, grimaces and contortions count.... This is what the beautiful spectacle observed at the fountain of Ekisman is all about. - Niger - 1970

This young Peul wears the typical hat of the Zinder region - Southern Niger - 1970

It is difficult to find a people with more sense of pomp and adornment than the Peul (Fula). At festivals, one can witness true competitions for male beauty. The Peul are extremely ostentatious - as far as poverty does not set natural limits to this. But it is most interesting to note that these men, whose effeminate demeanour conceals a legendary courage, like their neighbours, the Tuareg, know the ancient custom of the courtyard of love. At festivals, the participants never refrain from carrying this long sword, so similar to the takuba from the Hoggarm massif. They make up their faces with vivid colours, saffron yellow, red and white predominating, and one would come to no end to make an inventory of the jewels and amulets they are wont to spread out on these occasions. To win the approval of the lady of one's choice, one must know how to show oneself off, and looks, grimaces and contortions count.... This is what the beautiful spectacle observed at the fountain of Ekisman is all about. - Niger - 1970

A Bororo herdsman in typical posture at the well of Ekisman - Niger - 1970

It is difficult to find a people with more sense of pomp and adornment than the Peul. At festivals, one can witness true competitions for male beauty. The Peul are extremely ostentatious - as far as poverty does not set natural limits to this. But it is most interesting to note that these men, whose effeminate demeanour conceals a legendary courage, like their neighbours, the Tuareg, know the ancient custom of the courtyard of love. At festivals, the participants never refrain from carrying this long sword, so similar to the takuba from the Hoggarm massif. They make up their faces with vivid colours, saffron yellow, red and white predominating, and one would come to no end to make an inventory of the jewels and amulets they are wont to spread out on these occasions. To win the approval of the lady of one's choice, one must know how to show oneself off, and looks, grimaces and contortions count.... This is what the beautiful spectacle observed at the fountain of Ekisman is all about. - Niger - 1970

Until a few decades ago, ethnography did not credit the Peul (Fula) with a prehistoric origin; but we did not yet know what prehistory has since revealed to us. This Bororo Peul, found between Abalak and In Gall, is a descendant of the Neolithic cattle herders. Although dark-skinned, but copper-coloured rather than black, the Peul may well be the heirs of the Neolithic people of Sudanese tradition, who had emerged from the mixture of several races, at least one of which came from the Mediterranean area. - Eskiman well - Niger - 1970

It is difficult to find a people with more sense of pomp and adornment than the Peul (Fula). At festivals, one can witness true competitions for male beauty. The Peul are extremely ostentatious - as far as poverty does not set natural limits to this. But it is most interesting to note that these men, whose effeminate demeanour conceals a legendary courage, like their neighbours, the Tuareg, know the ancient custom of the courtyard of love. At festivals, the participants never refrain from carrying this long sword, so similar to the takuba from the Hoggarm massif. They make up their faces with vivid colours, saffron yellow, red and white predominating, and one would come to no end to make an inventory of the jewels and amulets they are wont to spread out on these occasions. To win the approval of the lady of one's choice, one must know how to show oneself off, and looks, grimaces and contortions count.... This is what the beautiful spectacle observed at the fountain of Ekisman is all about. - Niger - 1970

It is difficult to find a people with more sense of pomp and adornment than the Peul. At festivals, one can witness true competitions for male beauty. The Peul are extremely ostentatious - as far as poverty does not set natural limits to this. But it is most interesting to note that these men, whose effeminate demeanour conceals a legendary courage, like their neighbours, the Tuareg, know the ancient custom of the courtyard of love. At festivals, the participants never refrain from carrying this long sword, so similar to the takuba from the Hoggarm massif. They make up their faces with vivid colours, saffron yellow, red and white predominating, and one would come to no end to make an inventory of the jewels and amulets they are wont to spread out on these occasions. To win the approval of the lady of one's choice, one must know how to show oneself off, and looks, grimaces and contortions count.... This is what the beautiful spectacle observed at the fountain of Ekisman is all about. - Niger - 1970

The bow is one of the "revolutionary" developments of the Neolithic. It had the same consequences for its owners as the first rifles. The posture of the Bororo-Peul hunter dressed in leather testifies to the permanence of the traditional gesture, holding his bow much like the one on the rock painting of Jabbaren, Tassili n' Ajjer. - Fountain of Eskiman - Niger - 1970

A flute player replaces the orchestra and supports the chorus of dancers with his instrument. The beat is given to him by clapping hands. The women, prize of this peaceful competition, show a very seductive demeanour ... - Fountain of Eskiman - Niger - 1970

A young Bororo with his typical features at the well of Ekisman - Niger - 1970

A proud Bororo lady with her typical features at the well of Ekisman - Niger - 1970

A flute player replaces the orchestra and supports the chorus of dancers with his instrument. The beat is given to him by clapping hands. The women, prize of this peaceful competition, show a very seductive demeanour ... - Fountain of Eskiman - Niger - 1970

It has often been overlooked that cattle also served as pack animals and as such played a major role in the civilisation of the Sahara. As a rider we find the same girl as in the previous photo. - Well of Ekisman - Niger - 1970

Typical of their breed are the tattoos on the Bororo's face. The ears, pierced all along the rim by many holes, allow to wear amazing amounts of silver rings. Strings around the neck are used to hold various collections of amulets. - Fountain of Ekisman - Niger - 1970

South of Agadez, on the road to Zinder, lies the village of Tanout. Members of sub-groups of the Kanuri, Fula (Peul) and Tuareg ethnic groups live in this area, all of them mainly practising agropastoralism. This Peul-Bororo woman radiates beauty and elegance. - Tanout - Niger - 1970

South of Agadez, on the road to Zinder, lies the village of Tanout. Members of subgroups of the Kanuri, Fula (Peul) and Tuareg ethnic groups live in this area, all of them practising mainly agropastoralism. This Peul-Bororo woman with her youngest child on her back radiates beauty and elegance. - Tanout - Niger - 1970

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