The well of Guelta Timia - Niger

In the camp at Oued Agamgam - Aïr - Niger

Decorated hands of a Targuia in the camp at Oued Timia - Niger

Nomad children in front of their tent in the camp near El Meki near Timia - Niger

Tuareg women take care of their goats in the camp near Oued Timia - Niger

The caravan crosses the desert near the Crab’s claw - in the background the Oued Arakao - Niger

March through the dunes of Erg Izane in the area of Chiriet - Niger

Crossing the almost endless desert of Erg Izane - Niger

The camp Bechar is situated at the well of Zakkat - Niger

Finally again water - camp Toufouchi - Guelta Enghar – Niger

The Tuareg women produce richly decorated camel covers - camp Zakkat - Niger

The desert of Erg Izane doesn't seem to have an end - Niger

Waterhole of Eres near Temet, Niger - Canisters are filled with the precious water by the Tuaregs and then transported by camels.

Dead tree in a landscape of dunes of Tehouak - Niger

Guelta Iffazane - Niger - Water springs from the ground and flows through several degrees into a small lake.

The prehistoric rock shelter of Afis - 2500 years ago, hunters, gatherers and cattle breeders lived in a once heavenly green savannah and painted the already magical and fascinating image of women on the rock wall. - Niger / Aïr / 2001

Abakaoua, a Targi of the Kel Tédélé tribe - Symbol of the stubborn resistance of his people, chief Abakaoua ag Kanom is proud of his 72 years of age and wears an indigo cloth covering his head and shoulders, as well as khol makeup.

Woman wearing feathers, engraving of the horse period (Tagueït / Aïr / Niger)

Niger - On the western edge of the Aïr - engravings at the site Tanakom

Niger - Aïr – Site Tagueït-up - Fresco of carved giraffes

Dabous (Aïr occidentale) – Fresco with animals: giraffes, ibexes (?) Etc. The giraffe measures 1.15 m from nose to tail.

Tendarine (Niger-Aïr) – Engraving of giraffes and antelopes

Tuareg girl in the camp of Mechovi - Aïr - Niger.

A baby carrier made of goat leather for the little Djamila in the camp of Toufouchi – Aïr –Niger.

Dunes and a dead tree - This tiny dead tree contrasts with the immense and sensual sand dunes caressed by the wind. - Tenere - Niger

Objective Arakao - At the edge of the Aïr and the Ténéré, the Arakao mountains become visible on the horizon, setting the goal of a long day's march for the caravan. Caution: Bring enough water! - Niger / between Aïr and Tenere / 1999

Exploring - Like a Scout leader, Abakaoua explores the narrow passage that leads to the top of the dunes of Ifiniyane.

Dunes in Arakao - The Arakao region is part of the Aïr Massif, which is still one of the most wooded areas in the Sahara. However, at the border of the Ténéré and its dunes, the already sparse vegetation disappears abruptly. - Niger / between Aïr and Ténéré / 1992

Light caravan - For one-day trips, the camel drivers leave behind bags, riding saddles, food and feed supplies at the camp. They will only ride the camels when the heat makes walking unbearable. - Niger / between Aïr and Ténéré / 1999

Traces of the wind - Foot and hoof prints withstand only for a short time against the endless impressions the wind traces in the sand. - Niger / Ténéré / Erg Izane / 2001

Caravan leaving for Gouloukou - Gouloukou is marked on the map! The sound of the name is reminiscent of gurgling water. This is not surprising: Gouloukou is a fountain where tadpoles like to have fun. - Niger / between Aïr and Ténéré / 1999

Guelta of Enghar - Probably the coldest water in the Aïr! The sun never shines into the depths of this rock cleft on the trail to Toufouchi. - Niger / Aïr / 2001

Guelta of Agamgam - Among volcanic walls, clan chief Abakaoua leads his camels to a drinking hole and its amazingly fresh, cool water.

The only possible way - In a narrow canyon, the caravan of camels examine the only passable route through the rocky chaos. - Abri Ilem / Niger / Aïr

Hanging from the moon - In this lunar landscape, a tree spreads its network of roots and branches across a wide area to catch the meager dew necessary for its survival. Yet another miracle! - Niger / Aïr / Piste d'Agamgam / 1992

Rock-art site of Tanakom - At the edge of the Aïr mountains, the petroglyphs converge at the mouth of the wadis (valleys), where the savannah life prevailed the longest after the onset of desertification. They testify to the fact that giraffes and lions cavorted here with the animals of Neolithic cattle herders. - Niger / Between Aïr and Ténéré / 1992

Gazelle grass - In the Ténéré, vegetation is often limited to individual grasses, sparse food for gazelles and cattle, but a poetic toy for the wind.

Dusk over the Arakao - The dead tree in backlight is reminiscent of a fallen figure by Giacometti. - Niger / between Aïr and Ténéré

A bit of family history - Abdelkrim ag Ahrmed, son of Ahrmed ag Chaoua, is the grand-son of Chaoua and comes from a dynasty of caravan leaders. In the language of the Tuareg, Tamacheq, “ag” means “son of”. - Niger / Aïr / 2003

The red boulder - A clear day on wadi Tafidet, which – though rarely – carries water from the Aïr to the Ténéré. Driven by an exceptional flood, this rock broke off its route and, when the sun reappeared, had landed here. - Niger / Ténéré / 1992

Where there’s water, there's life - The waterhole of Iffazane offers a rare treasure: water, which provides for fresh greenery throughout the year. - Niger / Aïr / 2002

Return from the well - The donkeys are tired, the water odres are full and the sun approaches its zenith: a common sight on the track between Iferouâne and Arlit. - Niger / Aïr / 2003

Selima, a Targuia from Zakkat - Her husband is still a nomad, but Selima has become sedentary. In the Zakkat oasis, she educates her two children and takes care of a herd of goats. A Targuia is a woman; a Tuareg, a man. - Niger / Aïr / 2001

Natural mosaic - Long before man existed, nature took over the sole raw material, stone, to draw and sculpt eternal forms. - Niger / Aïr / Takaloukouzet / Detail of the bedrock / 1993

Rock site of Tagueït - Was the Neolithic woman interested in fashion? At least that is what this image, set in stone by man long ago, seems to show. Height of the figure: 1.10 meters from the top of the hair to the base of the feet. - Niger / Eastern Aïr / Tagueït Site / 1992

Light and Shadow - The sun rises on Arakao. Nothing will disturb the silence of the shadows or the stillness of the light. - Niger / between Aïr and Ténéré / 1992

Tuareg child - Framed by a tuft of hair dedicated to Allah and amulets bearing verses from the Koran, the look of this boy scans his whole future dedicated to faith. - Tezirzek / Aïr / Niger

Targuia at the fountain of Tezirzek - Between the high plateau of the Aïr Mountains and the Ténéré, the Tezirkek fountain attracts nomads and their animals. Unlike the men, the women do not wear a headscarf. - Niger / between Aïr and Ténéré / 2003

Dunes at Temet - In the dry season, the Wadi Temet consists only of a red-hot riverbed featuring the silhouette of a dead tree, which the dunes protect and threaten at the same time. - Niger / between Aïr and Ténéré / 2003

Marble and wood, a still life - A composition of desolate eternity in the land of Kel-Kédélé.

The two sisters of Toufouchi - Their features are clean; their look, determined. And a firm will is needed to survive in these inhospitable latitudes. The two sisters of Toufouchi look after the goats, cook, fetch water and find enough time in between for jokes and laughter.

Selima and son - Called «cul-nu» by the photographer, the son of Selima hides his tiny garment under the wide skirt of his mother. - Niger / Aïr / Zakkat / 2001

Kids games - When his feet touch the ground, it will be time for the older child to become a man. Then the carefree days of childhood and adolescence will come to an end. - Niger / fountain of Tezirzek / 1992

Tuareg warrior - With a single blow of his Takuba, Boubakar ag Mohamed has beheaded a jackal... what a feat! As the leader of a clan of ten families from the Kel Takriza tribe, formerly feared in the Sahel because of their raids against black farmers, today he is the most peaceful of Tuareg dignitaries – and the one wearing the most makeup! - Niger / Western Aïr

Draw me a shadow - Shadow of life, shadow of death in the solitude of the desert. - Niger / Between Aïr and Ténéré / 1999

Balance - The sculptor god has chosen a huge space under the sky for the exhibition of his work. Admission is free for all who endeavor to come here. - Niger / between Aïr and Ténéré / 2000

At the edge of the Ténéré (Niger), the wind avidly shapes the beautiful dunes of Temet. This sea of sand is only limited by the high mountains of the Aïr in the distance.

In the Aïr, a pathfinder on foot looks for the best way to cross the dunes. - Erg Izane / Aïr / Niger

These two giraffes, etched into a rock ledge, are 6.50 m tall and were engraved around 8000 b.C. (Dabous site, Western Aïr Mountains, Niger).

A Tuareg woman, placid pride rooted in a millennia-old matriarchate. (Oued Tchioulmas, Aïr, Niger)

Mother and children at the Arali camp site. (Oued Issaouane, Aïr, Niger)

Niger - The Tuareg chief Abakaoua from the Aïr region

In the morning light
Caravan in the Temet wadi.
Niger - Aïr - 2003

Sheltered by trees at the Kel Tédélé camp site.

The pantry – or the best way to keep food out of animal reach.

Preparing tea at the Toufouchi camp site. (Aïr, Niger)

A cradle made of goat leather for little Djamila. (Toufouchi, Aïr, Niger)

Crossing the Tagardet pass in the Aïr mountains.

Near the waterhole of Baloumat, a great boulder offers shelter.

Taguella is bread made of wheat and baked in the sand.

Between the Aïr and the Ténéré (Arakao, Niger), it is dusk in the Sahara and the “crab pincer” of the mountains suddenly forms one of the most beautiful dunes in the world.

At the edge of the Ténéré, Chef Abakaoua leads the way.

Arrival at the Kel Tédélé camp site.

Tima using her goat´s milk to make a cheese called Tukemarine. (Toufouchi, Aïr, Niger)

Tuareg nomads selling salt cakes at the camp site. (Camp Aouï, Aïr, Niger)

White marble rising from the sands in the Kogo region. (Oued Gouloukou, Aïr, Niger)

Here at the guelta one can find the precious liquid, even when the river dries up. - Guelta Baloumat / Aïr / Niger

In the morning light, a caravan strolls in the Temet wadi - Aïr / Niger

Filling up with water for people and camels at the Takarit well. (Oued Takarit / Aïr / Niger)

«Water is life» – filling the guerba, made of goat leather. (Guelta Baloumat / Aïr / Niger)

This Tuareg boy´s hair plaits are consecrated to Allah. - Campement Abakaoua / Puits de Faris / Tezirzek / Aïr / Niger

The guelta of Agamgam, last station before crossing the Ténéré. - Aïr / Niger

Hunter or warrior? This engraving, still unknown to the public, dates back to 3000 b.C. - Abri Ilem / Tamgak / Aïr / Niger

Rock engravings at Tanakom: Giraffes and cattle at a time when the Sahara was still green.

Tagueït prehistoric site: Was this Neolithic woman interested in fashion?

Herds of giraffes engraved on the rocks at Tagueït. - Aïr / Niger

Dried plant in the dunes - Erg Brousset / Ténéré / Niger

Arakao, dunes and dead tree - between Aïr and Ténéré / Niger

Dunes in the region of Tagueït - Aïr / Niger

Arakao, dead tree - Aïr / Niger

Portrait of a young Touareg - Faris / Aïr / Niger

Dead tree at Tagueït - Aïr / Niger

White marble rising from the sands in the Kogo region. (Oued Gouloukou, Aïr, Niger)

The Tuareg Kel Tédélé - Kogo / Aïr / Niger

Oued Adjirigoudou, Takabar volcano - Aïr / Niger

Climb to the guelta d'Agamgam - Aïr / Niger

Touareg woman at the well of Faris - Aïr / Niger

Aïr / Descent to Adrar Chiriet At the end of a long and beautiful day in the desert, the tired caravan will set up camp in the pasture, between dunes and mountains. Tomorrow will be another day.

Aïr / Camp Chanounou / A veil of respect To guide the ancestral way of life, tradition and freedom are combined with respect for each other.

Aïr / Toufouchi / Beauties of the desert In the camps the camel-drivers find their wives dressed with their finest attires, like the sailors on their return to the harbour....

Aïr / Toufouchi / Pantry Food and cooking utensils are placed high to protect them against animals. All the containers come from nature, except the pot.

Zakkat / Building a roof In the oases, the nomads exchange meat and milk for the grain of the gardeners and the tools of the blacksmiths. The huts are often made of straw and leaves.

Toufouchi / Gift of the sky In the shade of a tree, swinging gently in a goat skin hanging from a supple branch, the young child is the object of all attention.

Toufouchi / The school of life In order to participate in the life of the camp, the girl learns the necessary skills at an early age so she can help the family. Here she is preparing to grind millet in a mortar.

Arakao / The reward Nestled in the heart of the desert, the site of Tchin-Taborak is a jewel like no other. Here is the image of eternity and peace of soul.

Erg Izane / Waking up in the heart of the world Immense, mystical and intimate at the same time, the deep Sahara reveals itself to those who show themselves worthy. Patience, humility and respect are the keys.

Tuareg blacksmith woman (Tézirzek well / Aïr / Niger / 1992)

Wife of Chanounou, chief of a traditional Tuareg tribe (North of Aïr / Niger / 2001)

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Niger - Aïr - Arakao - «l'arbre mort» se trouve en face des grandes dunes de l'Arakao dans le massif de l'Aïr.

The legends are only available in French!
Niger - Aïr - Oued Tafidet - Vue typique de cette région (paysage voilé par du sable en suspension dans l'air).

The legends are only available in French!
Niger - Aïr - Tassirés - Oued Tilemsane - Epoque cabaline. Le personnage du centre à tête dite «de fourmi» typique de cette époque où dominent davantage des guerriers que des chasseurs. On notera le costume, les appendices sur la tête, qui ne sont peut-être pas des plumes. Hauteur du personnage du sommet des antennes aux pieds : 1,50 m.

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Niger - Aïr - Oued Tagalalat - En dépit de la faiblesse du style de la gravure, il s'agit bien d'un document de l'époque cabaline. Les guerriers, en forme de diabolo, sont équipés de lances et de boucliers. A droite, noter l'exceptionnel fauve. Un ongulé évoquant un lion (?). La tête, obtenue par piquetage périphérique, présente les deux yeux en « à-plat » (technique dioculaire). Longueur du lion : 0,30 m.

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Niger - Aïr - Oued Tafidet - Girafes de l'époque dite pastorale. A comparer avec d'autres girafes schématiques de l'époque cabaline provenant de Tagueït bas. Hauteur de la girafe de gauche : 1 m.

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Niger - Aïr - Tagueït bas - Paroi surchargée de graffiti. Si les personnages de l'époque équidienne sont identifiables, le reste n'a guère de sens. Remarquer une hache, en haut, au centre.

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Niger - Aïr - Tagueït bas - Epoque pastorale ? Il est difficile d'assimiler ces girafes à celles de l'oued Tafidet : leur attribution à un style ou à un autre est difficile.

The legends are only available in French!
Niger - Aïr -Tagueït bas - Epoque équidienne. Personnage sans arme, portant un objet rond indéterminé au bras gauche. Décor de la partie centrale du corps. Du sommet des plumes à la base des pieds : 1,10 m.

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Niger - Aïr - Tanakom - Epoque pastorale - Girafes décadentes. La plus grande mesure 0,85 m de haut.

The legends are only available in French!
Niger - Aïr - Tagueït bas - Fin de l'époque pastorale. Cinq girafes très stylisées. De la tête à la base des pattes de la plus grande girafe : 0,95.

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Niger - Aïr - Tagueït bas - Epoque pastorale. Dans le Sahel, à proximité des vaches domestiques, les girafes ne sont pas rares. Leur abondance ne doit donc pas surprendre. Se souvenir de la nature grumeleuse des roches de l'Aïr. Hauteur de la grande girafe : 0,65 m.

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Niger - Aïr - Tagueït bas - Gravures piquetées très schématiques. Le personnage central n'évoque pas clairement les équidiens. A sa droite, un personnage à habit bitriangulaire et à tête en U renversé. Le personnage central mesure 0,70 m de haut.

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Niger - Aïr - Tagueït bas - Personnages à « tête de fourmi » (équidiens) sur fond d'animaux (domestiqués ?). Noter les lances et les boucliers ronds. Les animaux mesurent entre 0,30 et 0,40 m de haut.

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Niger - Aïr - Tagueït haut - Cette fresque de girafes, remarquable par le travail de piquetage et de gravure au trait qu'elle a nécessité, ne date pas de la même époque que les deux personnages, dont un archer, précédant le troupeau, qui semblent bien plus récents. Les principaux animaux mesurent de 0,60 m à 0,80 m. Le rocher lui-même mesure 2,40 m de long.

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Niger - Aïr - Tanakom - Dédale typique montrant l'état de desquamation avancée de la roche en Aïr. Le rocher surmontant, à droite, la barre oblique du premier plan, est couvert de belles gravures.

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Niger - Aïr - Tanakom - Troupeau de bovidés conduit, par un berger. Sur le côté, une bête est montée, une autre suivie par un berger. Œuvre de l'époque pastorale tardive. La dalle fait 2,15 m de long.

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Niger - Aïr - Tanakom - Œuvre de l'époque pastorale tardive: girafes, autruche, berger touchant un bovidé. Les graveurs se sont intéressés à toutes les surfaces lisses.

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Niger - Aïr - Tanakom - Œuvre de l'époque pastorale tardive: Toujours des girafes. Leur nombre peut s'expliquer soit par l'intérêt des graveurs, soit par leur diversité. Celles-ci sont très bien observées. Hauteur de la dalle : 0,45 m.

The legends are only available in French!
Niger - Aïr - Tanakom - Epoque pastorale. Divers quadrupèdes. L'intérêt réside dans les deux personnages du centre. Celui de gauche aurait sa place dans un musée d'art moderne et n'admet aucune explication satisfaisante. Celui de droite tient peut-être un arc.

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Niger - Aïr - Tanakom - Personnage à « tête de fourmi », dans une position d'orant. Petit personnage intentionnel entre les deux plus grands. Epoque équidienne. Scène à caractère religieux. L'appendice, entre les jambes, peut être la queue de l'animal conservée sur une tunique de cuir.

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Niger - Aïr - Tanakom - Eléphant piqueté, étranges animaux schématiques. Noter les trois personnages stylisés. Hauteur de l'éléphant : 0,45 m.

The legends are only available in French!
Niger - Aïr - Anakom - Période équidienne. Très intéressantes figures humaines appartenant au même ensemble. Le volume est exagéré pour les deux grands sujets tenant dans la main gauche une lance et l'attache d'un cheval, tandis que dans la main droite, ils tiennent un objet indéfini. A hauteur de cou, peut-être des pendentifs d'oreille. Les petits personnages semblent porter une culotte bouffante. Les cheveux sont, sur le côté, bien visibles, les visages soulignés. La tête est surmontée d'un curieux ornement. Le costume est très recherché. Un chameau apporte un contre-temps à l'âge de l'ensemble. Il y a aussi des tifinars, une girafe, des autruches. Le grand personnage à gauche mesure 1,60 m de hauteur. Le petit personnage de droite : 0,78 m. .

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Niger - Aïr - Grande fresque d'Anakom - Un cavalier bien observé, des oryx, des antilopes, des autruches, des tifinars montrent la pérennité au passage des hommes depuis l'arrivée des « équidiens ». L'animal à la robe faite de losanges a 0,47 m de long. Le grand antilopiné de droite a 0,52 m de long.

The legends are only available in French!
Niger - Aïr - Anakom - Les oryx au galop tranchent sur de nombreux graffiti. Le petit cheval, près d'un homme armé de la lance et du bouclier, est également gravé par un familier du milieu équidien. A droite, en bas, un homme à la tête en U renversé. Bien qu'il soit du même type que le précédent, le personnage de gauche (0,75 m de hauteur) a une tête « en soleil ».

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Niger - Aïr - Arakao - Une grande girafe (du bout de la queue au museau : 0,61 rn). Le piquetage qui indique d'habitude la teinte de la robe est remplacé par des traits.

The legends are only available in French!
Niger - Aïr - Arakao - Une vache (noter les mamelles). Le piquetage qui indique d'habitude la teinte de la robe est remplacé par des traits. De la naissance de la queue au bout des cornes : 0,94 m de longueur.

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Niger - Aïr - Tezirzek - Epoque équidienne. Deux personnages (celui de gauche mesure 0,70 m de haut) tiennent ensemble, au bout d'une corde, un être indiscernable mais qui évoque un enfant !

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Niger - Aïr - Tezirzek - Epoque équidienne - Les équidiens ont aimé se représenter au point tel qu'on pourrait dresser un inventaire de leurs différentes prestations souvent, d'ailleurs, accompagnées par un ou plusieurs chevaux.

The legends are only available in French!
Niger - Aïr - Temet - Gravures très décadentes représentant deux personnages équidiens aux yeux bien soulignés. Des bovidés (?). Du museau de celui de droite à la queue de celui qui le suit : 1,05 m.

The legends are only available in French!
Niger - Aïr - Dabous (Aïr occidental) - Fresque animale : girafe, caprins (?), etc. Noter le trait profond de la gravure, en dépit de l'allure « équestre » de la girafe qui mesure des naseaux à la queue 1,15 m.

The legends are only available in French!
Niger - Aïr - Dabous (Aïr occidental) - Rare et très belle tête de girafe. Le museau, les cornillons et les oreilles sont polis. La crinière est soulignée. Cette girafe est reproduite dans son entier sur la photo 74. Noter la corde pendant du museau ...

Getting into another world
The caravan is about to enter a mineral universe that is no longer the world of men but that of an intact nature where only the nomads know how to survive.
Niger - Aïr - Erg Izane - 2002

Pantry
Or how to store food out of reach of animals.
Niger - Aïr - Toufouchi camp - 2001

Caravan
In the Aïr, the guide searches on foot for the best passage for his caravan through the dunes. Niger - Aïr - Erg Izane - 2000

Entering another world
The caravan is about to enter a mineral universe that is no longer the world of men but that of an intact nature where only the nomads can survive.
Niger - Aïr - Erg Izane - 2002

Abakaoua
In his indigo outfit, chief Abakaoua ag Kanom, a symbol of the stubborn resistance of the Touareg Kel Tédélé people, proudly wears his 72 years and underlines the tenacious will of his gaze with a line of khol.
Niger - Aïr - 2003

The Sahara is a desert in the true sense of the word only for those who have never seen it. The slightest rain, the poorest humidity and the smallest water hole already allow for a vegetation that never ceases to amaze the traveller. And how much life then develops around the freshly sprouted plant .... Even the wind compels the weak stems of the "gazelle grass" to mark its all too constant direction, using them instead of a compass. - Enneri Blaka - Niger - 1975

Témet is a dry valley in the Agadez region. It runs from Mont Gréboun in the high mountains of Aïr to the Ténéré desert to the east. In rainy years, a lake can form in the desert. But the extreme temperatures soon cause it to dry up. - Témet - Ténéré - Niger - 1975

Erosion form from the Adrar Bous area - West Ténéré - Niger - 1975

Témet is a dry valley in the Agadez region. It runs from Mont Gréboun (1944 m) in the high mountains of Aïr to the Ténéré desert to the east. In Témet are the highest sand dunes of the Ténéré, which can reach a height of 300 metres. - Témet - Ténéré - Niger - 1975

Témet is a dry valley in the Agadez region. The only water source in the valley, which often dries up in the dry season, is located in the upper part at Mont Gréboun. In rainy years, a diverse flora with a Mediterranean flavour can develop. - Témet - Ténéré - Niger - 1975

Camel market in In-Gall in Aïr (Republic of Niger). As in all marketplaces in Africa, people haggle extensively. The Tuareg are very vain. They often wear bracelets made of stone, e.g. serpentine, slate or limestone, above their elbows. The man in the white gandura on the left has a braid hanging from the litham on either side of his head, a custom typical of the Aïr. – Niger - 1966

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