Kel Tamasheq
Lands
the Sahara and Sahel: northern Mali and Niger, southern Algeria and Libya, and northern Burkina Faso
Countries Mali, Niger, Algeria, Libya, Burkina Faso
Facts 3
Culture
Imzad music, played by Kel Tamasheq (Tuareg) women on a one-string bowed instrument they craft from a gourd, has been on UNESCO's heritage list since 2013.
As of 2013 Source: UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, Practices and knowledge linked to the Imzad of the Tuareg communities of Algeria, Mali and Niger (opens in a new tab) Checked Suggest a correction to this fact
Population
In Niger, Kel Tamasheq (Tuareg) herders raise camels and goats in Agadez, Tahoua and Tillabéry. Estimates for 2009 put them at about 1.2 million, 8.3% of the population.
As of 2009 Source: IWGIA (International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs), Indigenous World 2020: Niger (opens in a new tab) Checked Suggest a correction to this fact
Land
In Libya, the Fezzan region, including Ubari and Ghat, is traditional Kel Tamasheq territory, linked to communities across the borders in Niger and Algeria.
Source: IWGIA (International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs), The Indigenous World 2026: Libya (opens in a new tab) Checked Suggest a correction to this fact
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