How many Tuareg are there in Libya?

How many Tuareg are there in Libya?

Tuareg are nomadic, pastoralist tribes spread across the Saharan regions of Libya, Algeria, Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso. Within Libya, estimates of their population size vary widely, ranging between 17,0,000.

Where do the Tuaregs live?

Tuareg, French Touareg, Berber-speaking pastoralists who inhabit an area in North and West Africa ranging from Touat, Algeria, and Ghadames, Libya, to northern Nigeria and from Fezzan, Libya, to Timbuktu, Mali. Their political organizations extend across national boundaries.

Is Tuaregs a Bedouin?

The Tuareg people represent a Saharan offshoot of the Berbers, who have resided in North Africa for several millennia. ... As a result of Arab conquests in the 7th century A.D., and then Bedouin immigrations into North Africa during the 11th century A.D., many Berber groups sought refuge in the oases of the Sahara.

Do Tuareg speak French?

But the Tuareg are not monolingual. They are very likely to speak Hausa, the language of the dominant ethnic group for much of Niger and Mali, Songhay, a West African language, and, often, French, the language of the colonial era.

Is Touareg a Berber?

Their origins are unclear but they often speak both Tuareg dialects and Arabic, though a few communities are Songhay speakers. Traditionally, these local peasants were subservient to the warrior nobles who owned the oasis and the land.

Are Tuareg Arab?

The Tuaregs are Berbers who live in the central Sahara and its neighboring regions: Algeria, Libya, Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso. ... They speak the Tuareg language (Tamachek) and use a Latin Berber alphabet called tifinagh.

How long is a Tagelmust?

The tagelmust (also known as cheich, cheche and litham) is an indigo-dyed cotton litham, with the appearance of both a veil and a turban. The cloth may exceed 10 metres (33 ft) in length. It is mostly worn by Tuareg Berber men, the Hausa of the far northern Sahel region and the Songhai.

Are there Tuaregs in Morocco?

You aren't likely to encounter a Touareg in Morocco. Why? It's reported that there are only approx. 1 million Touareg now, who are primarily indigenous to Niger, Mali, southern Algeria and southern Libya. E. B.

What does Touareg mean in German?

In 2003, Volkswagen launched its first ever SUV, the Touareg. '"Touareg" literally means "free folk" and is the name of a nomadic tribe from the Sahara,'" they wrote in a press release, explaining their decision to borrow the name of the nomadic North African ethnic group. E. B.

What is the Berber religion?

One aspect of life where we do see the strong influence of Arab culture is in the religion of North African Berbers. The Berbers across this region are predominantly Sunni Muslim. ... Other Berber groups have maintained their traditional religions, and still others have adopted Judaism. E. B.

Where are the Tuareg people from?

• The Tuareg people are originally from the Sahara Desert.The Tuareg diaspora, with a total population of around 2 million, is spread across Saharan Africa in such places as southeastern Algeria, Niger, southwestern Libya, northern Burkina Faso, northern Nigeria, and Mali.

What percentage of Mali's population is Tuareg?

• The CIA estimates that the Tuareg population in Mali constitutes approximately 0.9% of the national population (~150,000), whereas about 3.5% of local inhabitants speak Tuareg (Tamacheq) as a primary language. In contrast, Imperato (2008) estimates that the Tuareg represent around 3% of Mali's population.

What is the meaning of the name Touareg?

• The Name Tuareg/Toureg. The name Tuareg is an Arabic term meaning "abandoned by God," "ways" or "paths taken". According to some researchers - the word Touareg is taken from the word "Tareka"/"Targa" a valley in the region of Fezzan in Libya.

What is the highest caste in Tuareg society?

• Traditionally, Tuareg society is hierarchical, with nobility and vassals. The linguist Karl-Gottfried Prasse (1995) indicates that the nobles constitute the highest caste. They are known in the Tuareg language as imúšaɣ (approximately pronounced 'imohar' - also known as Imajaghan, "the proud and free").