Donkeys in the SAHARA

On the one hand, Imuhar (Tuareg) nomads own donkeys (tam.: Eiyhed/Ihedan) and on the other hand there are wild donkeys (tam.: Ahulil/Ihulilen) that live in the Sahara desert. Those are African donkeys (Equus asinus /Equus africanus).

Characteristics

The donkeys have a grey and sometimes reddish short fur and a white belly. They have a black stripe on the back and shoulders. The donkeys’ legs are not striped. The crest is short, upright and black.

Nutrition

The nomads do not feed their domestic donkeys, the animals pasture near the camp. The donkeys in the desert are plant eaters and not very selective. Donkeys cannot store as much water as camels. If there is an open waterhole near the camp, the donkeys go there to drink water by themselves. If the nomads go to get water at the waterhole or at a well they water the donkeys at the same time. Wild donkeys prefer open waterholes. There they are direct competitors of the domestic animals. Sometimes the wild donkeys wait at a well to get watered. Especially the Kel Ahnet feel obligated to water the donkeys.

Group formation

When not needed the donkeys form groups and graze nearby their owner. The front legs of grown donkeys are tied together so that they cannot run away. Wild donkeys also form groups around a jack (male donkey). The groups stay in the vicinity of water holes, which often leads to rivalry and fights. Older jacks are often scarred by bite wounds.

Donkey breeding

The nomads do not control the breeding of their donkeys.

USE

The nomads do not treat the donkeys very well. They use the donkeys to transport baggage and children at relocations. They also use them to carry water if there is a waterhole or well nearby. The nomads neither eat donkey meat nor do they drink their milk.

Riding Animal

Generally, only children ride on donkeys. They ride on female as well as male donkeys.

“A noble never rides a donkey “(Khazanov 1984:55)

Adults avoid riding a donkey. Sometimes poor nomad women ride a donkey. The nomads have only one kind of donkey saddle called Aruku, which is used for riding and for transport. Children learn as soon as possible how to ride a donkey. They do not use reins but a stick to control the donkey. They hit it on the neck to spur the animal, which is not easy because the donkeys in the Sahara are sometimes stubborn.

Peculiarities

Donkeys are said to be the livestock of the Kel Esuf (Ghost of the loneliness). If children do not want to go to sleep at night the adults frighten them with the threat that will they give them to the wild donkeys.