"Iferouane" a Iferouane Travel Page by titti

Iferouane is another typical “in the middle of nowhere” place. A lovely oasis located north of Agadez, in the Air mountains.
I was so lucky to arrive there on occasion of the opening of “Festival tuareg de l’Air”. This festival is held according to the peace agreements between the Nigerien Government and the Tuareg Resistance.
The festival brings together the most important personalities from the Tuareg community and the Nigerien governments.
The Tuareg community takes part in the festival with different kinds of cultural events, like dances, music, ethnic groups parade, camel rides, etc.
What resulted more interesting in my eyes was the huge variety of local people attending the festival. It was absolutely amazing to have the opportunity to see so many different ethnic groups in their best costumes, performing their preferred rituals and games; to see such a huge variety of people just following the events, wandering around, talking among themselves, watching the rare tourists.
The festival events were interesting. The people were enchanting.
I couldn’t have cared less about authorities’ speeches.
Besides all the festival performances I had the unforgettable opportunity to get first hands impressions on some absolutely astonishing customs of tuareg people. I’m still dreaming of a magic ritual for greeting people I assisted to. A wonderful woman, in beautiful, colorful dresses was greeting a handsome man, sitting on a camel. The woman’s hand stroked gently over the man’s palm several times. After the last one they stayed hand in hand for a while. Picture this: a wonderful woman standing on the ground; a magnificent “blue man” high on his camel…