Djanet Things to Do

Enlarge the picture to fully admire the clothes of this high ranked Kel Ajjer. He does not seem to be one of the dancers, as he has not the Takounbout (helmet). However, he is fully closed in the traditional way of the Touaregs, with a gandoura and a tagelmoust colored with indigo. This indigo colors the skin of the people who wear the clothes, hence the name of "hommes bleus" (Blue men), often given to the Touaregs.

He should wear the traditional sandals called Tanba. It seems this is not an important part of the outfit as actually, this one, as well as the others, wears light walking shoes called in France "Pataugas", with a rubber sole and the top made of strong cloth. He holds his takouba upside down, which is a sign of peace.

This picture shows a close up of a female musician. She has much less jewels than the previous and seems younger. The male dancer has an outfit that is worn only for celebrations. It has several stripes of dark blue, red and black that makes a cross on the chest. He wears a helmet called "takounbout" with silver engraved triangles hanging. He holds his takouba (sword) in his back while another Touareg, on the far right of the picture picks it in the sand.

All the musicians and singers are women. None of them is veiled. That is something specific of the Touareg culture that women do not hide their face. Traditionally, the musician and singers belong to the same family and live in the hamlet of Azeluaz.

This picture is a close up of one of those Touareg woman musicians resting. The small drum is called "tindé". It is made of wood and a goat's skin. The woman holds several silver bracelets on her arms, heavy ear rings with several silver triangles and a huge golden pectoral hanging. If you look at her feet, she is not wearing traditional sandals (iratimen) but slippers with a rubber sole and a hot felt top, called "Charentaises" in France. These slippers are made in the Charente region of France and are designed to keep one feet warm even when it is very cold. Amazingly enough, I have often seen women in the Sahara that wore these Charantaises. I do not know why !

Just behind the Touareg dancers (there is one on the right of the picture, in the foreground, half blurred), a group of musician plays drums, clap their hands and sing the Tisseouay. Unfortunately, it is not possible to give here a sample of Touareg music and songs. The main street is not paved and the musicians raise a lot of sand in the air.

Just after the camel and their cameleer, half a dozen male Touareg dancers walk and dance the "Tahemmet" while the women (behind) play the music. The Tahemmet is a dance that means victory and joy. On the right, children from the Djanet school, lead by their teacher (the tall guy with glasses) are watching the show. The teacher was coming from Algiers and the show was as new for him than for us. Two other teachers, also from the North (Algiers) are on the left with more schoolgirls.

The Touareg saddle is a very expensive piece of art. The seat is a small board set in front with a decorated part that is topped by a cross made of carved brass. It is called the Agades cross. The back is also made of wood and carved brass. Caution, both the back and the front are for the décor. When you ride a camel with a Touareg saddle, you must NEVER lean on the back, you must NEVER grab the front ! You would break them and have to pay for it, which can be as much as a thousand bucks !