Who are the Tuaregs

The Tuareg descended from ancient Berber tribes of North Africa. They moved southward to escape Arab invasions, which began in the 7th century to take refuge in southern Algeria. Niger, Mali and covering portions of what are now Algeria Libya Mauritania and Morocco. Named Taureor "abandoned of God" by crusading Arabs the refer to themselves as the "Isashaghen" (the noble and the free). Historically, camel breeders and traders they ruled the trade routes that crossed the Sahara and brought silver, gold, ivory and gold to the north. Tuareg traders staged raids on other caravans and groups of herders. Traditionally they refused to integrate with other Berber tribes maintaining their own distinctive style. The Tuareg are known as speakers of the Tamashek language of "Kel Taggelmoust" (wearers of the blue veil) and as the blue men of the Sahara because the indigo used to dye the robes rubs off on their skin.