Sex and the Sahara: Striking photographs of the mysterious Islamic tribe where women embrace sexual freedoms, dictate who gets what in divorce and don't wear the veil because men 'want to see their beautiful faces' The Tuareg have maintained their way of life for centuries, crossing from one side of the world's largest desert Yet beneath the traditional way of life lies a progressive society where women's rights have been embraced Families trace their line through the women and not the men, with women owning the tents and animals Pre-nups and divorce are everyday - with parents throwing their recently separated daughters 'divorce parties' But the rise of extremist Islam in the region could put all this under threat as a more conservative lifestyle prevails
[IMG]Sex and the Sahara: Striking photographs of the mysterious Islamic tribe where women embrace sexual freedoms, dictate who gets what in divorce and don't wear the veil because men 'want to see their beautiful faces'[/IMG] Equality: The women of the Tuareg are respected members of society, who own the homes and the animals
Posts: 5374 | From: sepedat/sirius | Registered: Jul 2012
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quote:Originally posted by Troll Patrol # Ish Gebor: Mena, I'm trying to figure out the intention and motive behind this writing?
As of now I'm reading the comment section.
The motive is to show interesting pictures and show how Islamic militants want to take away their freedoms
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Those partnerships have since crumbled, but now the Tuareg living in south-western Libya face a new threat - that of ISIS - while those living in Mali, Niger and northern Nigeria now have to contend with the rise of Boko Haram. And then there is the general, cultural shift: Butler has noticed more of the women taking up the hijab. And while she has been assured the women are wearing it for a fashion statement, rather than for religious reasons, she cannot be sure. 'It makes me very sad - you can see the regression,' Butler said. Her fears are not alone. Andy Morgan, who managed Tuareg rockers Tinariwen, noted in 2013 some Tuareg considered the 'culture to be backward and irrelevant in the modern world, a folksy throw-back kept alive by meddling Western anthropologists'. He continued: 'They would prefer their people to adopt Arabic, the language of the Quran and of the wider Muslim community... They deem certain other aspects of Tuareg culture, especially music and dance, to be licentious and ungodly and they object to the relative freedom and social power that Tuareg women enjoy.'
Posts: 42922 | From: , | Registered: Jan 2010
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quote: 'They think they are superior to other races,' Butler said. 'They are very proud. They certainly consider themselves superior to us.
'Perhaps they consider other cultures a bit stupid and, dare I say it, primitive.'
1) it's Butlers claim.
2) the Kel indeed will not feel inferior, and certainly not you a white person like you.
Posts: 22234 | From: האם אינכם כילדי הכרית אלי בני ישראל | Registered: Nov 2010
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quote:Originally posted by xyyman: Tauregs. Link shows the diversity of "central" Africans!
quote:Originally posted by xyyman: according to the report. These are Turegs also
Both are Tuaregs.
You yourself said it; Central Africa, and others of the Northern Sahara. Btw these are old picture, not that special.
Posts: 22234 | From: האם אינכם כילדי הכרית אלי בני ישראל | Registered: Nov 2010
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quote:Originally posted by Troll Patrol # Ish Gebor: Mena, I'm trying to figure out the intention and motive behind this writing?
As of now I'm reading the comment section.
The motive is to show interesting pictures and show how Islamic militants want to take away their freedoms
_________________________________
Those partnerships have since crumbled, but now the Tuareg living in south-western Libya face a new threat - that of ISIS - while those living in Mali, Niger and northern Nigeria now have to contend with the rise of Boko Haram. And then there is the general, cultural shift: Butler has noticed more of the women taking up the hijab. And while she has been assured the women are wearing it for a fashion statement, rather than for religious reasons, she cannot be sure. 'It makes me very sad - you can see the regression,' Butler said. Her fears are not alone. Andy Morgan, who managed Tuareg rockers Tinariwen, noted in 2013 some Tuareg considered the 'culture to be backward and irrelevant in the modern world, a folksy throw-back kept alive by meddling Western anthropologists'. He continued: 'They would prefer their people to adopt Arabic, the language of the Quran and of the wider Muslim community... They deem certain other aspects of Tuareg culture, especially music and dance, to be licentious and ungodly and they object to the relative freedom and social power that Tuareg women enjoy.'
I did read that. And I know there is dispute within the community. As off now.
Posts: 22234 | From: האם אינכם כילדי הכרית אלי בני ישראל | Registered: Nov 2010
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posted
It all goes back to Diop's "two cradle hypothesis" which argues that because traditional African societies were settled agriculturalist females had much more discretionary power than their counterparts in nomadic West Asian(Arab) and Eurasian societies where females have much less influence and power.
It would be stupid of the Tuaregs to be influenced away from their more gender equitable society to the primitive sand trekking customs of Arabs all because of some old, authors unknown, plagiarised text.
Posts: 5492 | Registered: Nov 2004
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quote:Originally posted by lamin: It all goes back to Diop's "two cradle hypothesis" which argues that because traditional African societies were settled agriculturalist females had much more discretionary power than their counterparts in nomadic West Asian(Arab) and Eurasian societies where females have much less influence and power.
It would be stupid of the Tuaregs to be influenced away from their more gender equitable society to the primitive sand trekking customs of Arabs all because of some old, authors unknown, plagiarised text.
Mama Africa!
Posts: 22234 | From: האם אינכם כילדי הכרית אלי בני ישראל | Registered: Nov 2010
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The absence of hands or their covering is one piece of evidence of the legedary or mythological significance of the figure. Even more so is the prescence of horns either growing directly from the head or as part of a headress. Then there is some sort of aura looking part of the drawing of the head that composes part of the forehead nose and upper lip. This "aura", mask, or headressing completely surrounds the short Afro style hair and sits up over the crown of the head above the hair. It's possible that what's taken for horns, actually represents something else that is associated with what looks like a field of grain or grass stretched between them. This "field" adds to the legendary/mythological interpretation and has something represented by medium sized dots under it that fills up the space between the "horns", borders the bottom of the "horns", and borders the face, neck, and collar of the figure.
Posts: 8675 | From: Tukuler al~Takruri as Ardo since OCT2014 | Registered: Feb 2003
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posted
I said before, based upon genetics, it seems like women were the dominant sex during and even long after our expansion OOA. Western society dominance has changed that. My belief is generally women make better leaders and decision makers. The testestrone and the pissing contest don't get in their heads.
-------------------- Without data you are just another person with an opinion - Deming Posts: 12143 | From: When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable | Registered: Jun 2007
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posted
For centuries the nomadic Tuareg tribe have crossed the Sahara desert, sometimes being led by the blind who used their heightened sense of smell and taste to pick a safe path across the ever-shifting sands.
Their men became known as the 'blue men of the Sahara' because the dye from their distinctive indigo scarves rub off onto their faces giving them a mysterious air. The Tuareg evoke images of a long forgotten and romantic age.
But behind the ancient way of life is a culture so progressive it would even make some people in liberal western cultures blush. Women are allowed to have multiple sexual partners outside of marriage, keep all their property on divorce and are so revered by their sons-in-law that the young men wouldn't dare eat in the same room
What is even more surprising is that even though the tribe has embraced Islam they have firmly held onto some of the customs that would not be acceptable to the wider Muslim world.
It is the men, and not the women, who cover their faces, for example.
Photographer Henrietta Butler, who has been fascinated by the Tuareg since she first followed them through the desert in 2001, once asked why this was. The explanation was simple.
'The women are beautiful. We would like to see their faces.'
But this is certainly not the only place the Tuareg, related to the Berbers of North Africa, differ from the Muslim world of the Middle East, and even other parts of their own continent
Before a woman marries, she is free to take as many lovers as she wants.
'They turn a blind eye,' explained Butler. 'The young girls have the same great freedoms as the boys.'
THE BLUE MEN OF THE SAHARA: WHY DO THE MEN WEAR THE VEILS?
The indigo veils the Tuareg men wrap so carefully around the heads have caught the imaginations of storytellers, filmmakers and travellers ever since they first came into contact with Westerners in the early 1800s.
But why they wear the veils - which can cost hundreds, and are a source of great pride - is not known.
Some say it is a practical decision, to keep the dust away. Others suggest it is to protect from the bad spirits - although whether it is bad spirits escaping the mouths of the person, or those escaping the mouths of others, is unclear.
It is one of the many mysteries of the Tuareg, says Butler of the tribe she has been captivated by ever since her first trip. . For years, the men of the Tuareg have been able to ride to a young woman's tent, and sneak into the side entrance - while his well-trained camel stands quietly and waits.
There, they will spend the night together - while the family, who all live in the tent, politely pretend not to notice.
Should the woman choose to welcome a different man into her tent the next day, so be it.
However, there is also a code of practice which none would dare break. Privacy is all important for this centuries old tribe of nomads, who once crossed the desert bringing dates, salt and saffron south, and slaves and gold north.
The idea of breaking the rules of courtship would be mortifying; as a result, the man is always gone before sunrise.
'The Tuareg are utterly discreet. Everything is done with utmost discretion and respect,' said Butler.
The relaxed customs around sexual partners has resulted in the girls getting married later than they may otherwise do, with the age of 20 not being uncommon.
Although, before then, they will have been wooed with poetry written by the men, who spend hours carefully crafting the words which they hope will win their beloved over.
But it is not a one-way street: the women are just as capable of putting pen to paper, using their own alphabet, taught to them by their mothers.
'The women also make poetry eulogising the men,' says Butler. 'There is high romance and idolatry.'
Unlike in so many other cultures, women lose none of their power once they marry either
posted
I am 100% male, swing a big stick and "he-man" as the make-em. And yes, as I have grown to realize that.
We need to get away from "Western European" thinking.
Slow down now. I am not saying all women are leaders. I am saying in a pool of leaders, of both sexes, the women have the edge making right decisions. We are not talking combat duty now. And in case you are wondering, no, I don’t think women are equal to men in combat. And they should NOT have equal duties in combat. There may be a few exceptions. So in battle …men …have the edge. Keep everything in perspective and emancipate your mind.
quote:Originally posted by kdolo: "My belief is generally women make better leaders and decision makers. "
You must be nuts !
Furthermore. Some posters here may know. I am 100% AGAINST gayism and same sex marriage. After over 400yers of European rule and indoctrination, it is time we respect our women and their capabilities.
As a diasporan ...we know that black women played an important part if not the most impoartant part getting us through it and get us here.
even today they are the foundation of the balck community. Haven't been to Africa so I am not sure what the situation is there.
Give them their due.
Trust me I feel as uncomfortable as the next guy reading the OP about the “freedom” of these Taureg women. But I have to battle that demon called Western indoctrination.
Posts: 12143 | From: When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable | Registered: Jun 2007
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posted
There was a study published somewhere in the 90s. It said that women at one point in time had ruled the world.
Posts: 22234 | From: האם אינכם כילדי הכרית אלי בני ישראל | Registered: Nov 2010
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