The Tuareg of West Africa
The Tuareg are often regarded as a mysterious people, and regularly misunderstood by others. Once known as “The Lords of The Sahara”, they are still considered fierce and unapproachable by many other tribes. Various factors continue to enhance the mystery that surrounds this people: they have traditionally lived in remote areas surrounding the Sahara Desert, they have managed to survive where others could not, they dress in a way to hide their faces and they have maintained marriages within family lines. The Tuareg appreciate the freedom in the openness of the desert. It is this love of freedom and rejection of the governing authorities that has produced grief for this once proud and vibrant people. Drought and the continuous pressure of outside cultures have brought unwelcome changes to the lives of these nomadic shepherds.
Because many Tuareg are nomadic, it is impossible to know their exact population across the vastness of the Sahara — many different population estimates exist for the Tuareg. This is owing in part to their opposition to being counted as well as their desire to remain in remote areas. Estimates range from 1 to 3 million Tuareg spread throughout parts of Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, Chad, Mauritania, Algeria, Libya and Nigeria.
The Tuareg speak a language derived from that of the North African Berbers and trace their ancestry back to a region of the Atlas Mountains. Their language is Tamasheq (Tamashek, Tamajaq or Tamahaq), of which there are a number of different dialects. Most Tuareg also speak another African language, depending on the region where they live. Many also know a written alphabet in an ancient Libyan script called Tifinagh or Shifinah.
A majority of researchers believe that the Tuareg were once Christian. Evidence for this includes the traditional names still common among them. Their jewellery and decorations retain symbols that resemble objects of Christian origin. It is unknown when the Tuareg took up Islam, but today it exerts a strong influence on them.
The pressure of change in the past few decades has taken away their perceived freedom. May they find the real freedom that is only available through the true Lord of the desert, Jesus.
Because many Tuareg are nomadic, it is impossible to know their exact population across the vastness of the Sahara — many different population estimates exist for the Tuareg. This is owing in part to their opposition to being counted as well as their desire to remain in remote areas. Estimates range from 1 to 3 million Tuareg spread throughout parts of Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, Chad, Mauritania, Algeria, Libya and Nigeria.
The Tuareg speak a language derived from that of the North African Berbers and trace their ancestry back to a region of the Atlas Mountains. Their language is Tamasheq (Tamashek, Tamajaq or Tamahaq), of which there are a number of different dialects. Most Tuareg also speak another African language, depending on the region where they live. Many also know a written alphabet in an ancient Libyan script called Tifinagh or Shifinah.
A majority of researchers believe that the Tuareg were once Christian. Evidence for this includes the traditional names still common among them. Their jewellery and decorations retain symbols that resemble objects of Christian origin. It is unknown when the Tuareg took up Islam, but today it exerts a strong influence on them.
The pressure of change in the past few decades has taken away their perceived freedom. May they find the real freedom that is only available through the true Lord of the desert, Jesus.
Prayer points
* New Tuareg believers often face rejection from their family and community. It is assumed that someone who has rejected Islam brings shame on the family. This is especially difficult in an environment where family help and protection are indispensable (Mark 10:29–31). Pray for strength, courage and protection for new Tuareg believers.
* There are few Christians and fewer churches among this people group. New believers need discipleship and encouragement, which is difficult to achieve in a hostile environment. Pray that as Tuareg become believers, they will also be discipled properly into a strong and vibrant faith.
* Although economic changes have brought some of the Tuareg closer to urban areas, their remoteness and dispersion is still a major obstacle to reaching them. Pray for God-inspired strategies to reach the dispersed Tuareg.
* Until there is a significant number of Tuareg believers to carry on the task, cross-cultural workers will need to be a living witness to this people. Many times the “beautiful feet” will be a little dirty in the hot and dusty Sahara (Rom 10:14–15). Pray for the workers among the Tuareg — and pray for more of them.
Copyright 2005 by 30 Days International. All rights reserved.
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