Nomadic festivals of the Wodaabe & Tuareg

October 10-24, 2010
This expedition will be a search for the annual nomadic festivals which are held each year after the rains when pasture for the herds is plentiful. It is also an intimate visit to the camps and villages of the Wodaabe and Tuareg of Niger. It is an immersion into their life styles and traditions. Welcomed into their homes and hearts, you’ll be delighted at the friendliness and warmth of these people. After fifteen years of traveling and doing humanitarian projects among these nomads we are welcomed as part of the family.

Our guides will be Tuareg--those who have turned in their camels for 4wd toyotas are the best guides around.

Our adventure will be split between to two nomadic cultures of the region: the Wodaabe and the Tuareg..
The Wodaabe are nomadic cattle herders and a sub group of the Fulani. They have become known for their special festivals in celebration of a plentiful rainy season and the restoration of the health of their herds after long months of drought. Most colorful are the fantastic beauty and charm contests of the Gerewol in which the most handsome young men paint their faces and wear elaborate costumes to compete. They are judged by the women.
The Tuareg or Blue men of the desert, have dominated the Sahara for centuries, They are a reknowned warrior group who fought fiercely between tribes and lived primarily from the raiding or protection of caravans. Although moslem, the men wear a turban that veils their face while the women are unveiled. Both dress in indigo a dye that wears off on their skin, hence the applellation “the Blue Men” . The period after the rains is the time for the Tuareg festivals. These always involve camel races and parades in rhythm to the drum played by the women whose song is to inspire the camels.
ITINERARY

Day 1 Paris/Niamey Arrival transport to Grand Hotel overnight--if the flight arrives in time be sure to have a drink on the terrace and watch the sunset over the Niger river.

Day 2 Niamey-Tamesna Your guide will pick up for an early morning departure for the north. You have a long 10-12 hour drive through the country of Niger. The agricultural regions of the south mostly occupied by Hausa people are interesting for their sculptural clay granaries and mosques. As we enter the Sahel, we begin to pass nomadic camps, herds of camels, goats, donkeys and the Zebu the famous layre horned cattle of the Wodaabe. Evening arrival at the Tamesna Center overnight at the newly built guesthouse.
Room at Tamesna guesthouse
Day 3-6 Nomadic Camps and Festivals The Tamesna center for nomadic life is located in the region of the Cure Saleé where all the nomads gather in the time after the rainy season when pasture is plentiful and there is leisure time to party. The center was built on their annual migration route, to bring services to nomads without requiring they settle down. From here we travel off the paved road and back in time, heading for the camps of the families we have come to know. We will experience the life of a nomad–see their dwellings and the rhythm of their days–the joy and music that fills their lives. Do not expect peace and quiet in a nomad's camp--there is always song at night--sometimes it is the children, sometimes the young men and always the cattle, donkeys and sheep who come in from the fenceless pasture to sit by the fire that is made especially for them so they won’t wander off in the night. I will be in the country in advance so I hope to find word of a festival. We will spend the next four days visiting camps and if we are lucky seeing a Worso or Gerewol festival. We will also see as we go various projects of the Nomad Foundation. Schools, women's co-operatives and wells. For information about projects click here.

Day 8-9 Dabous-Agadez Morning departure for Agadez. En route we will visit the world's largest rock art petroglyph at Dabous. Arrival in the afternoon to explore Agadez, the Tuareg capitol, “the gate of the sudan” . It is inhabited by the Kel oui Tuareg and the Hausa who are the largest group in Niger, of black origin and renowned as farmers and traders. You’ll recognize many of them by their cat claw facial scarification. The afternoon is free to visit Agadez, a small lively town, the color of the surrounding sand. It is dominated by an unusual earth mosque with a towering minaret. Agadez and its mosque were founded in the early 15th century by the Tuareg of the Air and it quickly became the capital of the region. For centuries it was a privileged stop between Egypt and the northern, western and southern oases. The architecture of its old quarters is typical of the Sahel with elegant earth houses. Shopping for Tuareg jewelry and crafts is outstanding. Dinner and overnight at the Pensione Tellit.

Day 10-12 Dunes Morning departure for the dunes of Tiguidit. For the next three days we will wander throught the dunes of the Tenere, looking for neolithic rock art, artifacts from a time over 5,000 years ago when the Sahara was more populated than it is today and seeing the desert nomads who live in much the same way as they always have. Each night we will search for the perfect dune to set up our tents and spend a night under the incomparable stars of the Sahara.

Day 13 Tamesna Return to Tamesna passing by Marandet, a dinosaur site where we can see the huge bones of many of the recently discovered species in Niger. Overnight at Tamesna.

Day14 Tamesna/Niamey Depature for Niamey overnight Grand Hotel.

Day 15 Niamey/Paris Our departure for Paris is at 11:50 pm. This leaves the day to explore Niamey, the museum and artisanal center.

This itinerary is subject to change due to the ever unpredictable way of Africa and its nomads.

COST OF THE TRIP Land cost $4350

This includes all accomodations, meals and ground transportation while traveling in Niger.
This does not include international or local airfares, or expenses while in Paris, personal expenses, visa fees, travel insurance (recommended) and customary gratuities to local guides and drivers.

With the exception of two nights in Niamey & two nights in Agadez and 2 nights at Tamesna all nights will be spent camping. Tents and mattresses and pillows are provided. Vehicles are 4WD Landcruisers and will carry all our food, drinks, safe drinking water, fuel, baggage and firewood.

Accompanying the trip will be Leslie Clark owner of Nomad Adventures Inc. , artist and founder of the Nomad Foundation. She specializes in paintings of Nomads which she sells at her Nomad Gallery in Ojai CA. She has been traveling in Niger for 16 years.

Our Tuareg expedition leader and guide Sidi Mamane is the representive of the Nomad Foundation in Niger.

Nomad Adventures is an arm of the Nomad foundation which is dedicated to the preservation of cultural and artistic traditions in Africa. It is a US non profit ( 501c3) corporation. The Tamesna Center is the latest of our projects Foundation Projects click here.
Our Tuareg guides will offer you Tuareg tea--known as the whiskey of the desert. There are always three cups, the first is very strong and is said to be bitter like death. The second is sweeter and weaker an is bitter and sweet like life. The third is for the children and is said to be sweet like love.

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