Although the origin and early history of the Tuaregs are cloudy, these tribal nomads appear to have traveled down from North Africa in a series of migrations as early as the 7th century. By the end of the 14th century, Tuareg tribes had established themselves as far south as the Nigerian border.

The chief characteristics of the Tuaregs include the unity of their language, their alphabet (which uses tifinagh characters), their complex social organization, and their class structure.

In direct contrast to Arab custom, the Tuareg men, rather than women, wear veils. However, many men often leave their faces uncovered in family camps or while traveling.

What are their lives like?
The Tuaregs of Algeria primarily live in small nomadic groups. Their camps consist of five or six portable tents arranged in a tight circle. Each tent is made of 30 or 40 tanned skins that have been dyed red and sewn together. The skins are supported on a framework of wooden poles and pegged into the ground.

Each tribe is governed by a chief and an assembly of adult males. The tribes are grouped into three confederations, each with its own sheik and council of rulers. These three confederations are under the leadership of one paramount chief, called an amenokal, and a council of nobles. Succession to headship is matrilineal (passed down through the lineage of the women).

Tuareg society also has an elaborate structure. The main division is between the noble class and the various serf classes. In most Tuareg groups, there are also whole tribes of ineslemen or marabouts. These are "holy people" who, like other tribes, are led by their own chiefs. Among some of the Berbers, such tribes are considered to be different from ordinary men. They are believed to possess the powers of protection and healing, even after death.

The lowest class does both the manual and domestic labor. This class is made up of ethnically mixed peoples who live in a cooperative relationship with their masters, the Tuareg. Many were originally slaves, either taken during warfare or bought at Indonesian slave markets. Three slave groups in the lower class are the iklan, the inaden, and the harratin. The iklan take care of herding, cooking, and other domestic chores. The inaden work as artisans and blacksmiths for the Tuaregs. The harratin are Negroid tenant farmers who work as share-croppers. Sadly, the Tuaregs have very little respect for these groups.

The Tuaregs of Algeria are primarily shepherds. Each tribe holds collective property rights on special grazing grounds. They also do a small amount of farming on this land, using irrigation and hand-held hoes. Their main crop is wheat, but they also grow some barley and grain, dates, figs, apricots, grapes, and a number of vegetables. Although they raise camels, donkeys, sheep, and goats, they only eat meat at feasts. Milk, both fresh and sour, is a staple food, and is used to make butter and cheese.

Veils worn by the Tuareg men are called tidjelmoust. The most preferred veils are dyed indigo. To show respect, the men always cover their mouths, noses, and foreheads in the presence of foreigners and their in-laws.

What are their beliefs?
Though the Tuaregs are 100% Sunni Muslims, they have a reputation among other Muslims for being lukewarm in their faith. They practice a passive form of Islam, infused with local superstitions and magic. Protective charms or amulets are commonly worn, and belief in spirits is widespread. There are several Marabouts (those of the "holy class") living among them, some of whom run Islamic schools.

What are their needs?
Although three Christian mission agencies are targeting the Tuaregs, there are no known Tuareg Christians.

Prayer Points

• Ask the Lord to send loving Christians from others parts of Africa to Algeria to share Jesus Christ with the Tuareg tribes.
• Pray that God's favor will surround the missions agencies that are targeting the Tuaregs.
• Ask the Lord to raise up qualified linguists to complete translation of the Bible into the Tahaggart language.
• Ask the Holy Spirit to soften the hearts of the Tuaregs towards Christians so that they will be receptive to the Gospel.
• Pray that God will open the hearts of Algeria's governmental leaders to the Gospel.
• Ask the Lord to raise up a strong local church among the Tuareg tribes of Algeria by the year 2000.

See also the following Groups:
The Air Tuareg of Niger; The Tahoua of Mali; The Tahoua of Niger;
The Udalan Tuareg of Burkina Faso; The Udalan Tuareg of Mali; The Tamasheq of Mali; and The Tuareg of Nigeria.

THE PEOPLE

• People name: Ahaggaren Tuareg
• Country: Algeria
• Their language: Tahaggart
• Population: (1990) 27,000
  (1995) 30,200
  (2000) 33,700
• Largest religion: Muslims 100%
• Christians: 0%
• Church members: None
• Scriptures in their own language: Portions
• Jesus Film in their own language: None
• Christian broadcasts in their own language: None
• Mission agencies working among this people: 3
• Persons who have heard the Gospel: 3,300 (10%) Those evangelized by local Christians: 0%
  Those evangelized from the outside: 3,300 (10%)
• Persons who have never heard the Gospel: 26,900 (90%)

• Country: Algeria
• Population: (1990) 24,935,400
  (1995) 27,939,000
  (2000) 31,158,400
• Major peoples in size order: Algerian Arab 62.2%
  Hamyan Bedouin 6.9%
  Greater Kabyle 6.1%
  Tajakant Bedouin 4.1%
• Major religions: Muslims 99.2%
  Christians 0.6%
  Non religious 0.1%
• Number of denominations: 23