Drought Forces Desert Nomads to Settle Down

Total population
Between 100,000 and 3.5 million

Regions with significant populations
These numbers are all estimates, and may exclude Tuareg who are assimilated into the general population of these countries.

Niger: 720,000 (1998)
Mali: 440,000 (1991)
Algeria: 25,000 (1987)
Burkina Faso: 60,000 (1991)
Libya: 17,000 (1993)

Languages
The Tuareg language(s) (Tamasheq, Tamajeq, Tamahaq)

Religions
Predominantly Islam

Related ethnic groups
Berbers, West Africans

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2 July 2007

by Richard Harris

For centuries, the Tuareg people have lived as nomads, herding their animals from field to field just south of the Sahara Desert in Mali, near Timbuktu.

Narrated Slideshow

Audio

Transcript

Tea ceremonies are one of the traditions that the Tuareg nomads have held onto. While some Western influences are welcome, some villagers worry their traditions will slowly erode.

Chief elder Mohammad Ag Mata has reluctantly succumbed to the new way of life for the Tuareg nomads, although he believes it is necessary for his community's survival.

Hadijatou, whose parents were nomads, enjoys her more independent lifestyle in the village.