The nomadic pastoralists of the Tuareg have descended through generations in Africa since the fourth century. Throughout the centuries, the cultural group has retained their rich heritage while surviving in the Saharan desert of northern Niger. Social relations of the Tuareg have remained relatively the same through the generations, including the relationships between the Tuareg and other people who reside in the countries they travel through, and with other members of their cultural group as well.
Globalization has had an impact in the way the Tuareg are represented to other people across the world. Clothing and beauty is a major factor in the social stratification of the Tuareg as it can determine someones rank in society based on their …show more content…
Most rural Tuareg towns are occupied almost solely by the cultural groups. Groups migrate according to their nomadic lifestyle between Niger, Libya and Algeria (Rasmussen 2001). Many lower class families live in tents, while the wealthier class resides in adobe houses. As for Tuareg children, it is obvious that sons receive twice as much compensation as daughters do (Rasmussen 2006). Lower inheritances such as small animals or certain crops are given to the female children, while land, homes, and entire herds are passed down to the male children. It is exceedingly common that inheritance among Tuareg children includes some instances of inequality. The Tuareg are esteemed herdsman, in which the day to day tasks are usually handled by the men alongside the planting and irrigating of gardens. As a less strenuous task, the women harvest the crops and are responsible for preparing the meals (Kohl 2009). The introduction of Islam had the lasting effect of forcing patrilineal institutions upon a traditionally matrilineal society. The men, as in most societies, are considered the most powerful and most respected in Tuareg civilizations. This has become more evident over time as the group moves into more civilized and rural areas, where they are introduced to more people and are a significant part of bigger systems than just the Tuareg caste systems to which they
Globalization has had an impact in the way the Tuareg are represented to other people across the world. Clothing and beauty is a major factor in the social stratification of the Tuareg as it can determine someones rank in society based on their …show more content…
Most rural Tuareg towns are occupied almost solely by the cultural groups. Groups migrate according to their nomadic lifestyle between Niger, Libya and Algeria (Rasmussen 2001). Many lower class families live in tents, while the wealthier class resides in adobe houses. As for Tuareg children, it is obvious that sons receive twice as much compensation as daughters do (Rasmussen 2006). Lower inheritances such as small animals or certain crops are given to the female children, while land, homes, and entire herds are passed down to the male children. It is exceedingly common that inheritance among Tuareg children includes some instances of inequality. The Tuareg are esteemed herdsman, in which the day to day tasks are usually handled by the men alongside the planting and irrigating of gardens. As a less strenuous task, the women harvest the crops and are responsible for preparing the meals (Kohl 2009). The introduction of Islam had the lasting effect of forcing patrilineal institutions upon a traditionally matrilineal society. The men, as in most societies, are considered the most powerful and most respected in Tuareg civilizations. This has become more evident over time as the group moves into more civilized and rural areas, where they are introduced to more people and are a significant part of bigger systems than just the Tuareg caste systems to which they