The Tuaregs of Algeria are part of a larger group of Berber-speaking Tuaregs. They are nomads who raise cattle and live in an area that stretches across North Africa. This territory extends from Western Sahara to the northern portion of Western Sudan.
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.
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 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.
Though the Tuaregs are virtually all Sunni Muslims, they have a reputation among other Muslims for being lukewarm in their faith. They practice a passive form of Islam, infused with folk beliefs 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.
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 missions agencies focusing on the Tuaregs.
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.
Scripture Prayers for the Tuareg, Tahaggart in Algeria.
Profile Source: Bethany World Prayer Center |
People Name General | Tuareg, Tahaggart |
People Name in Country | Tuareg, Tahaggart |
Natural Name | Tahaggart Tuareg |
Alternate Names | Ahaggaren; Gadames; Ghat; Ifora; Tamastairt; Tauareg; Touareg; Tuareg; Tuarek; Tuwareg; Twareg |
Population this Country | 74,000 |
Population all Countries | 150,000 |
Total Countries | 3 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | Yes |
GSEC | 1 (per PeopleGroups.org) |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 1 |
People ID | 15608 |
ROP3 Code | 110233 |
ROP25 Code | 308321 |
ROP25 Name | Tuareg |
Country | Algeria | ||
Region | Africa, North and Middle East | ||
Continent | Africa | ||
10/40 Window | Yes | ||
Persecution Rank | 19 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) | ||
Location in Country | Mainly Tamanrasset province south to Niger border; also southeast of Illizi and Adrar provinces; South Hoggar (Ajjer) mountain area. Hoggar Ghat dialect in southeast, Ganet area and west. Source: Ethnologue 2016 |
Country | Algeria |
Region | Africa, North and Middle East |
Continent | Africa |
10/40 Window | Yes |
Persecution Rank | 19 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) |
Location in Country | Mainly Tamanrasset province south to Niger border; also southeast of Illizi and Adrar provinces; South Hoggar (Ajjer) mountain area. Hoggar Ghat dialect in southeast, Ganet area and west.. Source: Ethnologue 2016 |
Primary Religion: | Islam |
Religion Subdivision: | Sunni |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical 0.00 %) |
0.00 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
0.00 %
|
Hinduism |
0.00 %
|
Islam |
100.00 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.00 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
Primary Language | Tamahaq, Tahaggart (74,000 speakers) |
Language Code | thv Ethnologue Listing |
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
Primary Language | Tamahaq, Tahaggart (74,000 speakers) |
Language Code | thv Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
People Groups | Speaking Tamahaq, Tahaggart |
Primary Language: Tamahaq, Tahaggart
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (1922-2018) |
Bible-New Testament | No |
Bible-Complete | No |
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) | Online |
Possible Print Bibles | |
---|---|
Amazon | |
World Bibles | |
Forum Bible Agencies | |
National Bible Societies | |
World Bible Finder | |
Virtual Storehouse |
Resource Type ▲ | Resource Name | Source |
---|---|---|
General | Gospel resources links | Scripture Earth |
General | YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio | YouVersion Bibles |
Mobile App | Android Bible app: Tamahaq, Tahaggart | YouVersion Bibles |
Mobile App | iOS Bible app: Tamahaq, Tahaggart | YouVersion Bibles |
Photo Source | Jacqueline Macou - Pixabay |
Map Source | People Group location: IMB. Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project. |
Profile Source | Bethany World Prayer Center |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |