Niger - Meet a camión from Bilma in the Ténéré Desert

Exploring - Like a Scout leader, Abakaoua explores the narrow passage that leads to the top of the dunes of Ifiniyane.

A bit of family history - Abdelkrim ag Ahrmed, son of Ahrmed ag Chaoua, is the grand-son of Chaoua and comes from a dynasty of caravan leaders. In the language of the Tuareg, Tamacheq, “ag” means “son of”. - Niger / Aïr / 2003

Tuareg warrior - With a single blow of his Takuba, Boubakar ag Mohamed has beheaded a jackal... what a feat! As the leader of a clan of ten families from the Kel Takriza tribe, formerly feared in the Sahel because of their raids against black farmers, today he is the most peaceful of Tuareg dignitaries – and the one wearing the most makeup! - Niger / Western Aïr

Abakaoua, a Targi of the Kel Tédélé tribe - Symbol of the stubborn resistance of his people, chief Abakaoua ag Kanom is proud of his 72 years of age and wears an indigo cloth covering his head and shoulders, as well as khol makeup.

Taguella is bread made of wheat and baked in the sand.

«Water is life» – filling the guerba, made of goat leather. (Guelta Baloumat / Aïr / Niger)

The chief’s toothbrush - Boubakar ag Mohamed does not smoke. He uses this piece of wood, taken from a very widespread bush in the Sahara called the «Abesgouin», to clean his teeth – which by no means detracts from the authority in his eyes! - Niger / Aïr / 2001

Niger - The caravan leader Mohamed ag Boubakar with his toothbrush.

The Tuareg Kel Tédélé - Kogo / Aïr / Niger

Targui in a Touareg camp in the Hoggar - Algeria

Aïr / The "taguella" Cooking the taguella owes everything to the desert. The sand acts as an oven, heated by the embers of wood carried on camels.

Aïr / Tamgak / The relaxation In the mountains, men finally find the time and the place of a real relax where water and fire get married.

The well! Like any well in the desert, the one at Hassi Meniet (Immidir, Algeria) is a favourite spot where all the nomads gather to camp. But in the immensity of the great desert, the well is also the secret of the initiated: Find it if you can! Depending on the location, it reaches 10, 20, 50, even 100 metres deep. The unlucky person who has set out on an adventure with a rope that is too short runs the risk of dying of thirst at its edge if he does not summon up the courage to descend by taking advantage of the alternating steps installed by the daring well builders. Incidentally, the reward for so much effort is often very meagre, for clear and pure water is rare, and often the bucket raises only a greenish, stinking, salty, undrinkable broth! ... Note that the wreath of the well is replaced by four crossed pieces of branch laid on the bare ground. - Algeria - 1966

Facing Mecca, a Tuareg performs his prayer in a nomadic «mosque». Everywhere in the Sahara, you can find such open-air churches, whose enclosure consists of stones piled on top of each other. - Hoggar - Algeria - 1966

Targui Kel Rela is a distinguished Tuareg of the Rela tribe from Hirafok in the Tamanrasset province in the Hoggar mountains. The lance has become rare. In the sixties of the twentieth century, gazelles and mouflons were still hunted with the lance. The veil that surrounds the head and masks the lower half of the face is called litham in Arabic and tagulmust in the Tuareg language. The son receives it from his father as soon as he reaches puberty. - Algeria - 1964

Targui Kel Rela is a distinguished Tuareg of the Rela tribe from Hirafok in the Tamanrasset province in the Hoggar mountains. The veil that surrounds the head and masks the lower half of the face is called litham in Arabic and tagulmust in the Tuareg language. The son receives it from his father as soon as he reaches puberty. - Algeria - 1966

The tea water is boiled on an open fire. Targui Litni in Sidi Mohammed's camp on the track through the Hoggar. - Algeria - 1966

Targui Litni in Sidi Mohammed's camp on the track through the Hoggar. - Algeria - 1966

In the camp, life melts away in little drops of time that you sip with relish. Every nomad loves to play. The favourite pastime is a kind of checkers game with stones, some of which are pebbles, others camel dung balls. There are endless discussions between the individual moves. - Algeria - 1966

Agricultural centre in Amsel near Tamanrasset in the Hoggar Massif. When the grain is ripe, it is cut with simple sickles. - Algeria - 1966

Young Tuareg in Ghadames in Libya. - 1969

The purple mountains of the Tassili N'Aijer shimmer in a mirage of water. The Tassili mountains are the domain of the Ajjer Tuareg, the land of veiled, poor but independent men. - Algeria - 1966

Illizi in Algeria: This Tuareg boy is the son of Amastan, a noble Targui. - Algeria - 1962

A gelta, a wadi pool with a rocky bottom in Iherir. Some are wide and deep, forming real little lakes teeming with fish, catfish and barbel; in 1934, a small crocodile was found in one of these waters, one of the last remnants of the green Sahara of prehistory. - Algeria - 1962

In the Sahara, water is more abundant than you think, but it is hidden, underground. In the valley of Iherir (Tassili N' Ajjer), however, it flows freely, bouncing off the rocks in waterfalls. Iherir is one of the areas of the Sahara where there is the most water. The rocky bottom prevents the precious wet from seeping into the ground. - Algeria - 1966

Two Tuareg couples in festive garb. The woman on the left plays an imzad, the targui on the right has his lance stuck in the sand in front of him. - Djanet - Algérie - 1962

In the evening breeze, two Tuareg go to the Tindé, a gathering of young people, where they make acquaintances around the campfire. - Algeria - 1962

In the gilded sands of the evening, the inhabitants of Djanet dance. It is the festival of Shebiba, so called because it takes place in the first month of the year, which is called "Shebiba" in Tamashek, the Tuareg language. The two main characters of the festival, dressed in rich robes, twirl the takuba, the sword of the noble Tuareg. The women beat the obsessive rhythm tirelessly with their drum, the Ganga. - Algeria - 1966

One of the main characters of the Shebiba-festival. The jewellery he wears on his headgear is made of silver and comes from the village blacksmith. - Djanet - Algeria - 1966

The preparation of the tea is mainly a man's job. It requires all the seriousness of this Targui, who demonstrates his agility by filling the glasses from high up: He must not miss a drop. The kettle in the foreground stands on a charcoal fire. The teapot is generally the obligatory souvenir that the pilgrim brings back from Mecca. Traditionally made of brass, it is often replaced by an enamelled pot on the bottom of which you can read Made in Czechoslovakia. The tea is always very heavily sugared, and the great luxury is to add a sprig of mint, which gives it a very pleasant taste. The walls of the tent are made of an assaber, a very fine weave of split palm leaf ribs held together by thin leather straps. This is not only decorative, but also has the advantage of allowing the air to circulate and yet shielding the tent occupants from the outside and protecting them from the wind. - Algeria - 1966

The preparation of the tea is mainly a man's job. It requires all the seriousness of this Targui, who demonstrates his agility by filling the glasses from high up: He must not miss a drop. The teapot is generally the obligatory souvenir that the pilgrim brings back from Mecca. Traditionally made of brass, it is often replaced by an enamelled pot. The tea is always very heavily sugared, and the great luxury is to add a sprig of mint, which gives it a very pleasant taste. - Hoggar - Algeria - 1966

The Takuba, the sword of the noble. As former warriors, the Tuareg are often homesick for their past. In their secret thoughts, they revive the memory of the former rezzous, raids against the caravans that brought slaves and gold up from the south. - Algeria - 1966

This targui crushes dates to free them from the seeds. Dates are rich in sugar and have a correspondingly high calorie content. This earned them the name "bread of the desert". Fibre, minerals such as potassium, calcium and magnesium, and B vitamins make them a healthy snack. The content of the amino acid tryptophan is particularly interesting. - Djanet - Algeria - 1962

Two Tuareg mime a fight with the takuba, the sword of the noble. As former warriors, the Tuareg are often homesick for their past. In their secret thoughts they revive the memory of the former rezzous, raids against the caravans that brought slaves and gold up from the south. - Algeria - 1962

A Saharan Meharist Company (from méhari, the Saharan riding camel) was stationed in Djanet. The Meharists were units of the French army that were supposed to control the areas of the Sahara during the colonial period. They employed regular soldiers, the tirailleurs, and Saharan "suppletifs" recruited among the major nomadic tribes, the Moors, Tuaregs, Toubous or Arabs. The Targui Caïd Bellaï is one of these "suppletifs". He is very tall and measures 2.01 m. - Algeria - 1962

Somewhere in the Tassili, a Targui returns home; and nothing in his posture, nothing in his surroundings, nothing in his clothes yet makes us think that the mineral resources of the Sahara will one day turn him into a man of the distant 21st century. And yet ... ! - Algeria - 1962

At the foot of these bizarre erosional forms in the Séfar area, one encounters shelters where one can admire countless rock paintings. The Targui Hosseinie gives us a size comparison. - Algeria - 1966

The Targui Hosseinie stands at the entrance to a cave created by wind erosion near Séfar. - Algeria - 1966

At Jabbaren, Targui Hosseini kneels in deep prayer. - Algeria - 1966

The Tuareg script, the Tifinagh, is reminiscent of that of the ancient Libyan peoples. The rocks often bear engraved signs of this kind; sometimes they are love poems dedicated to the beauties of the desert. Hosseinie, a Tuareg from the Meddak tribe (Tassili N'Ajjer), deciphers «verses». - Algeria - 1966

Targui Hosseinie with his donkeys in front of a large rock gate near Tin Tazarift. - Algeria - 1966

The Azalaï, the salt caravan, in the Ténéré sandstorm. It carries Bilma's salt with it; 600 kilometres and three weeks of travel separate Bilma from Agadez. From Agadez, the salt continues towards Tahoua, Tanout and In-Gall, where it is exchanged for the products of the south. – Ténéré – Niger - 1966

This Touareg needs an umbrella to protect it from the sun. - Near Tabalak in the northern Sahel. - Niger - 1970

In the camp at Guelta Anakom - A saddle has to be repaired - Aïr - Niger - 2002

Abakaoua, the chief of the Tuareg tribe Tel-Kédélé - Oued Torguit - Aïr - Niger - 1999

Dromedary camels fetch water in Guelta Agamgam - Aïr - Niger - 1999

The caravan between Agamgam and Tafajrit - Aïr - Niger - 2002

As a scout, the guide Abakaoua explores the narrow passage that leads to the top of the Ifiniyane dunes. - Aïr - Niger - 1999

After a long day's march, the dromedaries are led to the drinking trough. - Aïr - Niger - 1999

On the way we collect food for the dromedaries. - Aïr - Niger - 1999

At the edge of the Ténéré, at the end of the Oued Arakao, there is a natural, circular mountain range: the Crab Clow. The caravan crosses this area, which is dotted with sand dunes. - Aïr - Niger - 2000

The last large waterhole is in the Oued Takarit. As much water as possible is "refuelled" here before heading into the large sea of dunes of Erg Izane. - Aïr - Niger - 2002

Boy in the Kel-Tédélé-Tuareg camp in the Oued Gouloukou - Kogo - Aïr - Niger - 1992

In the camp of the Kel-Tédélé-Tuareg in the Oued Gouloukou - Kogo - Air - Niger - 1992

Targi in the camp near the well of Faris - Air - Niger - 1992

Ahmed ag Kanom, the brother of the clan chief Abakaoua - Camp of the Kel-Tédélé-Tuareg - Oued Gouloukou - Kogo - Air - Niger - 1992

Before crossing a desert, one must stock up on firewood. - At the camp of Elik-Ouan-Aggan - Air - Niger - 2001

The clan chief Abakaoua of the Kel-Tédélé - Oued Gouloukou - Kogo - Air - Niger - 1992

Setting off to cross the Erg Izane - Oued Gouloukou - Kogo - Air - Niger - 1992

Setting off to cross the Erg Izane - Issouane - Air - Niger - 2002

Setting off to cross the Erg Izane - To the right, at the back, is the area of Tchi-n-Taboûrak, from where we departed. - Issouane - Air - Niger - 2002

Abakaoua indicates the direction to cross the Erg Izane - Issouane - Air - Niger - 2000

The caravan begins to cross the Erg Izane - Issouane - Air - Niger - 2000

On the way in the Erg Izane - Air - Niger - 2001

On the way in the Erg Izane - Abakaoua is lost in silent prayer - Air - Niger - 2001

Rest break on the way in the Erg Izane - Air - Niger - 2000

Halt in the Erg Izane - The camels eat the fodder that must be carried - Air - Niger - 2000

Halt in the late afternoon in the Erg Izane - Air - Niger - 2000

The caravan continues its journey - Erg Izane - Air - Niger - 2000

The caravan on the way in the Erg Izane - Air - Niger - 2002

Crossing the sand sea Erg Izane - Air - Niger - 2002

Crossing the sand sea Erg Izane - In the background, the mountain Adrar Chiriet - Air - Niger - 2002

On the way in the sand sea of the Erg Izane - Air - Niger - 2002

In the late afternoon in the sand sea of the Erg Izane - Air - Niger - 2002

Crossing the sand sea Erg Izane - Air - Niger - 2002

Crossing the sand sea Erg Izane - In the background, the mountain Adrar Chiriet - Air - Niger - 2002

Immersing into another world - The caravan enters another universe that is no longer the world of humans. In this untouched nature, only the nomads can survive. - On the left, the Adrar Chiriet - Erg Izane - Aïr - Niger - 2002

Crossing the sand sea Erg Izane - In the background, the mountain Adrar Chiriet - Air - Niger - 2002

In the late afternoon in the Erg Izane - The hour of prayer - Air - Niger - 2002

The march continues through the dunes of the Erg Izan - Air - Niger - 2002

The march continues through the dunes of the Erg Izan - In the back left the Adrar Chiriet - Air - Niger - 2002

The scout always goes ahead, looking for the best way through the dunes - Aïr - Niger - 2000

The Adrar Chiriet, a huge volcanic massif in the middle of the desert, is home to a small population of Barbary sheeps, the wild sheep of North Africa that resembles the ibex, and blocks the path of caravans that have to bypass the mountain range in the middle of the Ténéré. - Aïr - Niger - 2000

The camp is broken, the dromedaries are loaded again and then the journey continues to Adrar Chiriet - Aïr - Niger - 2001

Boys and girls in the camp of Abakaoua, the Kel-Tédélé clan leader - Adrar Chiriet - Aïr - Niger - 1992

The caravan travelling through Erg Izane towards Tamgak - Aïr - Niger - 2001

Food found on the way for the dromedaries is gladly taken along - Erg Izane - Aïr - Niger - 2001

And on we go, even when the sun is burning - Erg Izane - Aïr - Niger - 2001

Lunch stop - resting during the hottest part of the day - Feeding the dromedaries - Erg Izane - Aïr - Niger - 2001

The dromedaries come back from grazing - In the background the Tamgak Mountains - Near Adrar Chiriet - Erg Izane - Aïr - Niger - 2002

It's midday - The shady tent is pitched - Erg Izane - Aïr - Niger - 2002

Resting under the shady tent during the heat of the day - Erg Izane - Aïr - Niger - 2002

I wonder what the cook is preparing? - Erg Izane - Aïr - Niger - 2002

Lunch break - Erg Izane - Aïr - Niger - 2002

The march continues in the direction of Tamgak - Erg Izane - Aïr - Niger - 2002

The march continues towards Tamgak - Erg Izane - Aïr - Niger - 2002

The march continues in the direction of Tamgak - Erg Izane - Aïr - Niger - 2002

The man's help is limited solely to procuring the raw material. Here a young Targi climbs a doum palm (Hyphaene) to cut off the leaves. This type of palm is characterised by a strong above-ground branching of the trunks, which is otherwise rare in palm trees - Aïr - Niger - 2001

The caravan continues southwards - Temet region - Niger - Aïr - 2003

Dromedaries quench their thirst at a waterhole in the Temet region - Niger - Aïr - 2003

Instead of the traditional guerbas, modern water canisters are filled with the delicious liquid - Niger - Aïr - 2003

This Tuareg boy´s hair plaits are consecrated to Allah. In the camp of the Kel-Tédélé of Tezirzek - Aïr - Niger - 1992

A young Targi in the Abakaoua camp in Tezirzek - Niger - Aïr - 1992

Tuareg boy in the camp of the Kel-Iguéga of Tezirzek - Aïr - Niger - 1992

The brother of the clan chief Abakoua fetches a dromedary from the pasture - Niger - Aïr - 1992

Members of the Kel-Iguéga clan in the Tezirzek camp - Niger - Aïr - 1992

The brother of Abakaoua, head of the Kel-Tedélé clan, with his son - Tezirzek well - Niger - Aïr - 1992

Portrait of a Targis in the Kel-Iguéga camp near Tezirzek - Aïr - Niger - 1992

In the late afternoon, the Targis bring their dromedaries back from the pasture to the camp - Well of Tezirzek- Niger - Aïr - 2003

The caravan continues south towards Tchioulmas - Niger - Aïr - 2003

Cutting the drinn on the way, fodder for the dromedaries - Niger - Aïr - 2003

Boubakar has to make a new rope - Camp in Oued Tchioulmas - Niger - Aïr - 2003

Playing draughts in the camp in Oued Tchioulmas - Niger - Aïr - 2003

On the way home to the camp in the Oued Tiétak - Niger - Aïr - 1992

At Guelta Iffazane, the water gushing out of the ground flows over several steps into a small lake. Fresh greenery can be found here all year round - A guerba is filled with water - Niger - Aïr - 2003

Oued with the Tamgak Mountains in the background - Niger - Aïr - 2003

Cérémonie du thé au camp de Tachaouit - Niger - Aïr - 2003

Preparation of food in the Tachaouit camp - Niger - Aïr - 2003

The dromedaries are freed from their burden - Tachaouit camp - Niger - Aïr - 2003

The Guelta Baloumat in the gorge between the two Tamgak mountains - Aïr - Niger - 2001

During the hottest part of the day, the men find a shady place to rest - Niger - Aïr - 2003

To pass the time, the pieces of the Daara game are moved, a kind of draughts game - Niger - Aïr - 2003

The meat of a goat is cut into pieces and roasted on the fire - Guelta Baloumat - Aïr - Niger - 2002

The cook prepares the food - On the right in front a guerba with water - Camp at Guelta Baloumat - Niger - Aïr - 2003

Tea ceremony in the camp of Chanounou - Niger - Aïr - 2003

A new rope is being made - The white stripes are made of plastic! - Camp at Guelta Baloumat - Niger - Aïr - 2003

Boubakar twists a new string from plastic strips - Guelta Baloumat - Aïr - Niger - 2002

‘Water is life’, the delicious liquid is bottled in the goatskin guerba - Guelta Baloumat - Aïr - Niger - 2002

A Targi with his takuba, the sword of the nobleman. As former warriors, the Tuareg are often homesick for their past. In their secret thoughts, they revive the memory of the former rezzous, raids against the caravans that brought slaves and gold up from the south. - Guelta Baloumat - Aïr - Niger - 2002

A Targi with his takuba, the sword of the nobles. As former warriors, the Tuareg are often homesick for their past. In their secret thoughts, they revive the memory of the former rezzous, raids against the caravans that brought slaves and gold up from the south. - Guelta Baloumat - Aïr - Niger - 2002

A guerba was filled with water from the Guelta Baloumat - Niger - Aïr - 2003

The caravan on the way to the western exit of the gorge that crosses the Tamgak massif - Aïr - Niger - 2002

The caravan on its way to the western exit of the gorge that cuts across the Tamgak massif - Aïr - Niger - 2002

The obligatory taguella is prepared in the camp - Niger - Aïr - 2003

Back at the Zakkat camp near the confluence of the Tamgak and Zakkat rivers - Aïr - Niger - 2002

Traditional well at Zakkat - The water is lifted from the depths of the well in a sack with the help of a cow or a dromedary -- Niger - Aïr - 2003

Boubakar ag Mohamed, a proud Targi in the camp of Zakkat - Aïr - Niger - 2002

Armali ag Aglai, a proud Targi in the camp of Zakkat - Aïr - Niger - 2002

Abdelkrim ag Ahmed, a proud Targi in the camp of Zakkat - Aïr - Niger - 2002

Ahmed ag Chaoua, a proud Targi in the camp of Zakkat - Aïr - Niger - 2002

Bachar ag Ahmouda, a proud Targi in the camp of Zakkat - Aïr - Niger - 2002

Abakaoua ag Kanom, the clan chief of the Kel-Tédélé in the camp of Zakkat - Aïr - Niger - 2002

Sidi ag Atuwal, a proud Targi in the camp of Zakkat - Aïr - Niger - 2002

Irham, a proud Targi in the camp of Zakkat - Aïr - Niger - 2002

Ibrahim, a proud Targi in the camp of Zakkat - Aïr - Niger - 2002

Boubakar ag Mohamed - Guelta Baloumat - Aïr - Niger - 2003

A proud Targi - Zakkat - Aïr - Niger - 2003

Ahmed ag Chaoua - Zakkat - Aïr - Niger - 2003

Irham - Zakkat - Aïr - Niger - 2003

Bachar ag Ahmouda - Zakkat - Aïr - Niger - 2003

Abakaoua ag Kanom, the Kel-Tédélé clan chief - Zakkat - Aïr - Niger - 2003

Abdelkrim, son of Ahmed ag Chaoua - Zakkat - Aïr - Niger - 2003

Chemma - Zakkat - Aïr - Niger - 2003

Ibrahim - Zakkat - Aïr - Niger - 2003

Camp on the edge of the Tamgak Mountains - A tagella, the bread of the Tuareg nomads, is baked in sand heated by fire - Aïr - Niger - 2001

Achmed ag Chaoua from the Kel-Tédélé tribe takes a well-earned rest - Aïr - Niger - 2000

At Guelta Iffazane, the water gushing out of the ground flows over several steps into a small lake. Fresh greenery can be found here all year round - Aïr - Niger - 2002

Resting in the shade of a tree at the Guelta Iffazane - Aïr - Niger - 2000

Tea ritual at the Guelta of Iffazane - Aïr - Niger - 2000

Ascent to the pass from Tagardet - Aïr - Niger - 2002

Descent from the pass of Tagardet - Aïr - Niger - 2000

In the Oued Tagardet - Aïr - Niger - 2000

Taguella is a flatbread, the staple food of the Tuareg living in the Sahara. It is a disc-shaped bread made from wheat flour, which is baked under hot sand and charcoal from a small fire. The bread is then broken into small pieces and eaten with a meat sauce. - Tamgak - Aïr - Niger - 2001

Portrait Touareg Arali - Tamgak - Aïr - Niger - 2001

Portrait Touareg Eikerim - Tamgak - Aïr - Niger - 2001

Portrait Touareg Chemma ag Gafid - Tamgak - Aïr - Niger - 2001

Portrait Touareg Hiram, the prayer leader of the camel drivers - Tamgak - Aïr - Niger - 2001

Portrait of Touareg Bachar ag Akhmadou - Tamgak - Aïr - Niger - 2001

Portrait of Touareg Abakaoua, chief of the Kel-Tédélé clan - Tamgak - Aïr - Niger - 2001

Boubakar - The chief of a Tuareg clan - Tamgak - Aïr - Niger - 2001

Eating millet and milk together - The hand replaces the fork - Tamgak - Aïr - Niger - 2001

There is always enough time for a chat at mealtime - Tamgak - Aïr - Niger - 2000

Lunch is prepared at the camp - Tamgak - Aïr - Niger - 2000

A waterhole in the northern part of the Tamgak Mountains - The water supply needs to be replenished - Aïr - Niger - 2001

A waterhole in the northern part of the Tamgak Mountains - Aïr - Niger - 2001

The guelta "An Rhone n'Ajad", where there is very good water - Tamgak - Aïr - Niger - 2002

In the valley of the Gueltas in the northern part of the Tamgak Mountains - Aïr - Niger - 2002

A Targi refreshes himself in the valley of the gueltas (waterholes). In the northern part of the Tamgak massif, also known as Zakkat - Aïr - Niger - 2002

In the valley of the gueltas (waterholes), in the northern part of the Tamgak massif, also known as Zakkat - Aïr - Niger - 2002

The goatskin guerbas are filled with water. In the valley of the gueltas (waterholes), in the northern part of the Tamgak massif, also known as Zakkat - Aïr - Niger - 2002

The Guelta Bilal in the valley of the Gueltas (waterholes), in the northern part of the Tamgak massif, also called Zakkat - Aïr - Niger - 2002

The Adrar Tamgak is located in the north-east of the Aïr and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Aïr and Ténéré Nature Reserve. The mountain massif is divided into a northern and a southern section by a deep, arching gorge running in a west-east direction. - A canister fell down during a difficult passage - Aïr - Niger - 2000

The Adrar Tamgak massif is divided into a northern and a southern section by a deep gorge running in an arc in a west-east direction. The caravan on its way through this gorge - Aïr - Niger - 2000

The clan chief Boubakar - He wears sandals like the Europeans - Aïr - Niger - 2001

In Tamascheq, the language of the Tuareg, they say Aman Eres. Aman means water and Eres means hole. - In the northern part of the Adrar Tamgak - Aïr - Niger - 2001

Boubakar, the head of the clan, also acts as a vet. A dromedary needs to be treated. - In the northern part of the Adrar Tamgak - Aïr - Niger - 2001

Descent from a pass. The Oued Tamgak in the background. - Aïr - Niger - 2001

The evening tea ritual in the camp - Tamgak - Aïr - Niger - 2000

In the evening at the camp, a taguella is baked - Tamgak - Aïr - Niger - 2000

The guerbas are filled with water at a guelta in the gorge between the two Tamgak mountains - Aïr - Niger - 2000

Well in the gardens of Iferouâne. According to old custom, the water is drawn up in a leather bag and distributed into the irrigation channels - Tamgak - Aïr - Niger - 2000

Ibrahim in the gardens of Iferouâne - Aïr - Niger - 2000

Abakaoua, the chief of the Tel-Kédéle clan, takes a break - Tamgak - Aïr - Niger - 2000

Abakaoua, head of the Kel-Tédélé clan - in the gardens of Iferouâne - Aïr - Niger - 2000

A son of Abakaoua, the Kel-Tédélé clan chief - in the gardens of Iferouâne - Aïr - Niger - 2000

Ibrahim ag Arambi - in the gardens of Iferouâne - Aïr - Niger - 2000

Returning from the well - The donkeys are tired, the water hoses are full, the sun is approaching its zenith: a common sight on the track between Iferouâne and Arlit. - Niger - Aïr - 2002

The main town of Iferouâne is the primary oasis in the north-western part of the Aïr Mountains. It is the main administrative centre of the "Aïr and Ténéré Nature Reserve", the largest protected area in Africa at 77,000 km². The settlement is located in the Irhazar Valley (also: Ighazar Valley) and is characterised by mud houses, mat tents and gardens. - Traditional well in the gardens of Iferouâne - Niger - Aïr - 1992

Portrait of a Targis in the gardens of Iferouâne - Aïr - Niger - 1992

Portrait of a Targis in the gardens of Iferouâne - Aïr - Niger - 1999

In the evening, people meet for a chat to exchange news - Iferouâne - Niger - Aïr - 2001

Portrait of a Targis - Iferouâne - Aïr - Niger - 2001

Irrigation of onions in the gardens of Chemma in Iberkom - Niger - Aïr - 2001

Onion harvest in the gardens of Chemma in Iberkom - Niger - Aïr - 2001

On the way to Guelta Enghar. It lies in the gorge that cuts right through the Tamgak Mountains - Niger - Aïr - 2001

The caravan is on its way to the Toufouchi camp. On the way, they stop at a guelta to replenish their water reserves - Niger - Aïr - 2001

The Enghar guelta - undoubtedly the coldest water in the whole of Aïr! The sun never reaches the depths of this rocky gorge on the track leading to Toufouchi. - Niger - Aïr - 2001

The chief’s toothbrush - Boubakar ag Mohamed does not smoke. He uses this piece of wood, taken from a very widespread bush in the Sahara called the «Abesgouin», to clean his teeth – which by no means detracts from the authority in his eyes! - Camp Boubakar - Aïr - Niger - 2001

A young Targi in the Boubakar camp - Aïr - Niger - 2001

Nomad tent with sleeping quarters in the Boubakar camp - Niger - Aïr - 2001

The well Tanet Mellet (= small beautiful well) at the camp of Bachar - Niger - Aïr - 2001

Two proud Tuareg ride through the camp on their dromedaries - On the left the clan chief Bachar - Tanet Mellet - Niger - Aïr - 2001

The water is fetched from the depths in a leather sack - Tanet Mellet - Niger - Aïr - 2001

Bachar (left), the boss, sits on the edge of the well and chats with a member of his clan - Tanet Mellet - Niger - Aïr - 2001

A guerba is filled with water - Tanet Mellet well - Bachar camp - Niger - Aïr - 2001

At the well Tanet Mellet - On the left the chief Bachar - Niger - Aïr - 2001

The young Targi Achmed in the camp of Irham - Aïr - Niger - 2001

In the Irham camp near the Tanet Mellet well - Everything that must be out of reach of the goats is either hung up or stored on a rack - Niger - Aïr - 2001

In the Irham camp near the Tanet Mellet well - This tent has a protective fence against the goats - Niger - Aïr - 2001

Portrait Touareg Omar al Mahadj of the Kel-Takriza clan - Zakkat - Aïr - Niger - 2001

A dromedary mare is milked at Brahim's camp near Iferouâne - Niger - Aïr - 2001

It sprouts in the gardens of Ibrahim near Iferouâne - Niger - Aïr - 2001

Ibrahim with his children in his camp near Iferouâne - Niger - Aïr - 2001

Ibrahim of Toufouchi - In the camp near Iferouâne - Aïr - Niger - 2001

Ibrahim in the gardens near Iferouâne - Aïr - Niger - 2001

The Targi Ibrahim in the camp of Zakkat - Aïr - Niger - 2001

Ibrahim's house near Iferouâne - Niger - Aïr - 2001

At the well of Eghaghar or Erarar - Aïr - Niger - 2001

About 5 kilometres from Iferouâne is the confluence of the Tamgak and Zakkat rivers, which flow down from the Tamgak massif. The Tuaregs have set up camp here. - Zakkat - Aïr - Niger - 2001

About 5 kilometres from Iferouâne is the confluence of the Tamgak and Zakkat rivers, which flow down from the Tamgak massif. The Tuaregs have set up camp here. - Preparations for a march into the Tamgak massif - Zakkat - Aïr - Niger - 2001

Traditional well at the camp near the confluence of the Tamgak and Zakkat rivers - The dromedary pulls the goatskin water container out of the well to irrigate the maize field - Aïr - Niger - 2001

Irrigation of the maize field at the camp near the confluence of the Tamgak and Zakkat rivers - Aïr - Niger - 2001

Traditional well at the camp near the confluence of the Tamgak and Zakkat rivers - The dromedary pulls the goatskin water container out of the well to irrigate the maize field - Aïr - Niger - 2001

Traditional well at the camp near the confluence of the Tamgak and Zakkat rivers - Not only dromedaries are used to pull up the water container, but also zebus - Aïr - Niger - 2002

People like to combine the preparation of a meal with a chat - Zakkat - Aïr - Niger - 2001

Two Targis return to the camp on their dromedaries - Zakkat - Aïr - Niger - 2001

The Achekwa, a camel bag, is made by the wife of the blacksmith, the Malem - Zakkat - Aïr - Niger - 2001

The achekwa, a camel bag, is made by the wife of the blacksmith, the malem - Zakkat - Aïr - Niger - 2001

Departure atmosphere at the camp in the region of the confluence of the Tamgak and Zakkat rivers - Aïr - Niger - 2001

Boubakar, a proud Targi in the Zakkat camp - Aïr - Niger - 2001

Boubakar, a proud Targi in the camp of Zakkat - Aïr - Niger - 2001

The Amenokal of Iferouane - Among the Tuareg, the Amenokal (plural Imenokalen) or Tamenokalt, if it is a woman (plural Timenokalin), is the head of a Tuareg confederation (Kel), who is elected from the few relatives of the deceased Amenokal and seems to be wise enough to bring the loose confederation closer together. He holds the ettebel (war drum), the symbol of his power. The term Amenokal can be translated as "emperor" in English. The best-known Amenokal of the Tuareg is undoubtedly Queen Tin Hinan, who was a famous Tamenokalt. She founded the Kel Ahaggar community in the Ahaggar – Aïr – Niger - 2001

The Amenokal of Iferouane - Among the Tuareg, the Amenokal (plural Imenokalen) or Tamenokalt, if it is a woman (plural Timenokalin), is the head of a Tuareg confederation (Kel), who is elected from the few relatives of the deceased Amenokal and seems to be wise enough to bring the loose confederation closer together. He holds the ettebel (war drum), the symbol of his power. The term Amenokal can be translated as "emperor" in English. The best-known Amenokal of the Tuareg is undoubtedly Queen Tin Hinan, who was a famous Tamenokalt. She founded the Kel Ahaggar community in the Ahaggar - Niger - Aïr - 2001

Where will the next ride take us? - Zakkat - Aïr - Niger - 2002

Gathering near the ruins of an old village near Agalal - Aïr - Niger - 2001

On the way back to Agadez - Encounter with a group of Targis near Agalal - Niger - Aïr - 2001

On the way back to Agadez - Tuareg tent by the wayside - The tree on the right is a Tamat, it is female. The male tree is called Abrok - Aïr - Niger - 2001

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