GENERATIONS

Semantic implications label women and men of the Imuhar (Tuareg) of different ages.

 ARRAU / TARRAUT 

Children until puberty are called Arrau (Sg.mask.) and Tarraut (Sg.fem.). They are regarded as lacking manners (Tkarakit) and intelligence (Tayette). They have to help at work, have to run errands and parents talk to them mainly in the imperative.

ASCHAMUR / TASCHAMURT 

Today, ddolescents and unmarried young people are called Ashamur (Sg.mask./ PL. mask. Ishumar) or Taschamurt (Sg.fem.; PL. mask. Tishumar). The term Aschamur is derived from the French word for unemployed - chômeur - according to popular literature. The original name was Ashara (Sg.mask.)/ Tascharat (Sg.fem.) according to information from the Kel Achnet. The names have a certain negative connotations and could be translated as “yob”or rowdy. Girls enter this status as they start menstruation and from then on, as a clear sign, they wear the Tesirnest. After boys are circumcised, usually at the age of seven, and begin to wear the chech, they are considered as Ashamur. Girls like boys are undergoing an intense process of socialization. The successive acquisition of social competence is socially expected. They continue to live with their parents and have to do numerous tasks for them.

  ALES / TAMET  

Spouses are regarded just as ales (man) and tamet (woman) sometimes with the addition of -n ammas (right in the middle). They are responsible for their own budget and have to make their own decisions. The wives of the Kel Achnet nomads spend two to five years with their mother after the wedding before they are completely independent. Thus, they are considered full members of the nomadic society and are treated with appropriate respect.

 AMRAR / TAMRART 

Elderly couples, whose children are of marriageable age, are referred to as Amrar (Sg.mask.) or Tamrart (Sg.fem.). With the Tamrart status the woman approaches the status of a man, including wearing torn clothing and often covering their face with a veil. Her/His high status becomes evident as in the presence of older people, younger people do not eat, make jokes or ask questions. Older women often refuse to even drink tea with younger women.

For example, Nuna still has no married children, but she has the title of a Tamrart, as she is the chief of the women inside the tent camp. She is asked if there is going to be a move soon or in which direction the small herd of cattle should move in the morning. The status of the Amrar or the Tamrart is reached at a certain age or be earned with high social competence and leadership skills.

This model of age groups is clearly visible at big meals. The children, the unmarried, the younger and the older married nomads according to their gender are each eating from separate bowls.