Religion

Islam

The Imuhar (Tuareg) people living in the areas around the Ahaggar Mountains took on Islam in the 11th / 12th century (Nicolaisen 1963: 479). Around that time Arab people introduced not only a new faith, but also new kinds of saddles and clothes (Nicolaisen 1963: 479). They also introduced new political systems like the ettebel (Drum-groups) or the chalifa.
Since that time the Imuhar are muslim and even a „famous“ missionary like Charles de Foucauld was not able to convert even one Imuhar.
Nevertheless, Imuhar people also believe in the Kel Esuf. The spirit world could be inspired by the Islam or by a pre-Islamic faith.

KEL ESUF

In the cosmology of the Imuhar (Tuareg) a world of the Kel Esuf („People“ of the Loneliness) exists. The ghosts /ancestors live in a parallel world and are livestock breeders like the nomads. Their livestock consists of gazelles, jackals or donkeys. While the Kel Esuf can see the living people, the people cannot see them. The Kel Esuf usually live in remote unpopulated areas like the Tenere desert, on mountains or in caves. If somebody calls them, then they might appear and bring bad luck. The „black“ Kel Esuf are the source of bad luck and can even provoke mental diseases. The „white“ Kel Esuf are not as threatening and can be helpful in case of emergency (Fuchs 1991: 63).  

EXAMPLES

Zeinaba washed her clothes at the well and put them on some bushes to let them dry. After a short time, a whirlwind passed by and swept the clothes from the bushes. Everybody was convinced that it was the Karharbat n Kel Esuf (the car of the Kel Esuf) that whirled the clothes around.

Kel Esuf behave mischievously. Once, I stepped into a mouse hole and sank in with my foot. My companion said: „ Uksad (Attention), Kel Esuf!“.

The Kel Esuf can do good as well. When the game Tamkelkel is played, the Kel Esuf can be invoked. For the game three things like eg. a little box, a can and a glass are chosen. I was supposed to point at an item, meanwhile the nomad looked away. Then he guessed at which item I had pointed. He always guessed the right thing. Every attendant was convinced that the Kel Esuf helped him.

PROTECTION

Kel Esuf are also feared because they can provoke illness. A good protection from the Kel Esuf is a Teraut. That amulet is a flat leather pouch with a sewn-in magic quotation. Imuhar nomads are especially scared of the Kel Esuf entering their body via their mouths. Therefore, the nomads say Bismillah (In the name of Allah, arabic) to clean the mouth, before they start eating. Furthermore, the fear of supernatural sanctions by the Kel Esuf affects every conversation.

The CONCEPT of ESUF

The term Esuf (Asouf/Asuf) is very complex in the Imuhar (Tuareg) language and can be translated as loneliness, homesickness, nostalgia, but also as solitude, wasteland or universe.

Egrau Esuf = I find loneliness; which means that somebody misses another person.
Ekkes Esuf = Take away the loneliness; to distract somebody, to entertain somebody.

In addition, sparsely vegetated valleys in the Sahara desert are surrounded by jagged, scantier sand and rock landscapes. Those barren, nearly plantless areas are called Esuf.

When moving, this seemingly lifeless area has to be passed through. The Imuhar believe that these forbidding terrains are under the rule of Esuf – of loneliness. This loneliness is hard to bear and closely connected to sadness. The Esuf of the wasteland causes deep and sad thoughts one can get lost in. The confrontation with loneliness is dangerous as it is an emotional one. Only men are crossing these areas on their own. Women are only travelling with company. Taking breaks in the area is avoided. Therefore, it is an area of transit. The wasteland is not only inhabited by Esuf but also by the Kel Esuf – the people of loneliness.

Further reading: Book “Sprechkunst der Tuareg” (Art of speaking of the Tuareg)