THE TUAREG TRIBE AND WOMANHOOD

This article answers the number one question on the mind of many who do not know about the Tuareg people; and that question remains - who are the tuareg and what makes them unique.

Come-on let's go on tour as we visit one of Africa's dominant and rather queer tribes who occupy the vastness of the Sahara, these include parts of both North and West Africa.

The Tuareg people are a nomadic people who live in the Sahara desert. Well may also be asking, are tuaregs black? Well, they are of Berber descent, and their language is Tamasheq. They are mostly Muslim, but also have some animist beliefs. They are a pastoral people, raising camels, goats, and sheep. They are also traders, and have a rich culture and history.

The Tuareg tribe which is a Berber speaking confederation are scattered in Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Libya, Mauritania, Egypt, Niger, Mali, Western Sahara, Burkina Faso, Sudan, Chad, Senegal, and Nigeria. This feudal tribe runs a traditional societal system which can be broken down into the following - From top: Nobles, Vassals, Clergy, Artisans and Laborers. And if you are asking - how do the tuareg survive in the sahara? Know, that this tribe have over many centuries adapted and re-adapted themselves to their arid environment.

Tuaregs are pastoralists who rely on their Zebu Cattle and Camels for sustenance after their pre-European glory days of raiding caravans and travelers on the popular Sahara trade routes ended.

Looking in the Tuareg culture, it will interest you to know that the Tuaregs are but a few tribes in the world to have preserved their traditions in ancient manuscripts written in an Ancient Tuareg dialect called TIFINAGH which also shares similar history with ancient Libyan culture. Tifinagh is a script used by the Tuareg people of North Africa to write their language, Tamahaq. It is thought to have originated in the 4th century AD and is still in use today. 

Tuareg families respect the female as the head of the home and trace lineage through the women’s line, out of respect. Tuareg men wear veils while the women do not, because in popular Tuareg parlance - the men always want to see the beautiful faces of the women.

Tuareg men begin wearing a veil at the age of 25, which conceals their entire face excluding their eyes. This veil is never removed, even in front of family members except their mother, wife, or lover. The men cover their face out of respect for the women, who own most of the property and have the final say in a divorce.

Tuareg tribe matriarchy is a social system in which women hold the primary power positions in society. The term matriarchy derives from the Greek word matriarches, meaning "rule of the mother."

Tuareg society is traditionally matriarchal, with women occupying a dominant role in both the family and the community. This has its origins in the Tuareg's religious beliefs, which hold that a woman is the embodiment of the divine feminine principle. Tuareg women enjoy a high status within their society, and are responsible for many of the activities that maintain the community. They are also the primary caregivers for children and the elderly. While men also play an important role in Tuareg society, their status is generally less exalted than that of women.

Women also hold the power in the household as she owns the family’s tent and livestock, with the man typically owning just the camel. Most marriages in the Tuareg tribe come with a prenuptial agreement that the woman keeps all the property she brought to and acquired in the marriage, including any children.

Although, The Tuareg culture is based in fidelity. Women in this culture are expected to be faithful to their husbands, and men are expected to be faithful to their wives. This culture is also based in honor. Women in this culture are expected to behave with honor and respect, and men are expected to do the same.

Women are allowed to have as many sexual partners as they please before marriage, so long as they keep the relationships PRIVATE. Privacy in sexual relationships mean that the man must enter a woman’s tent after sunset and leave before sunrise. Meanwhile, the rest of the family in the tent will - turn a blind eye - to the encounter as if it never happened.

In general, however, Tuareg women are not restricted in their sexual activity in the way that men are. They are free to have multiple partners if they choose, and are not considered to be promiscuous if they do so. This is in contrast to the traditional, conservative values of many other Arab and Muslim societies, where female sexuality is often heavily restricted.

Should a couple decide to divorce, the divorce is celebrated by the woman’s family and friends with a large party. The party is designed to inform other men that the woman is now free to re-marry and take on new lovers. Usually, the party in question typically consists of a gathering of the divorced woman's close circle made up of friends or relatives. They get together to celebrate her new independence and to support her as she moves on from her former relationship.

As a woman would you love to come from the Tuareg Tribe? If NO what are your reservations, drop these in the comment section.