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The Tuareg are the traditional desert nomads of the Sahara. This essay attempts to illuminate this mysterious warrior tribe, their traditions, their way of life in the world’s harshest environment and their problems as the pressures of mining, climate change and conflict impact their ancient culture. It also takes an inside look at elements of the Tuareg Rebellion deep inside the Aire Mountains of Northern Niger.

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A Tuareg man walks down a dune in traditional Tuareg land in the south of Algeria, 02 May 2009. Global warming, extensive mining exploration of the Sahara and armed rebellions have all accelerated change in the lives of the Tuareg, traditional nomads of the Sahara.