TheImprovement ofTropical and Subtropical Rangelands

Case Study 3
The Kel Tamasheq
SUSAN E. GUNN
INTRODUCTION
The following is bued on nine months of fieldwork undertaken
by the author in southern Mali among the nomadic Kel Tamasheq
(Tuareg). Most of this time was spent with the Oulliminden tribe,
which inhabits the area between Gao on the Niger River and the
Niger border. These people are one of the most isolated of the Kel
Tamasheq groUpsj the lack of outside influence is reflected both in
their material culture and diet.
The Kel Tamasheq's physical setting borders the southern Sahara
and is known as the West African Sahel. This region is characterized
by an annual rainfall of 15-1SO mm, which allows the survival
of a vegetation pattern dominated by annuals such as Cenclaru, hi­
/foru and Trihulu terre"ris and trees such as Brdanite, aegyptiaca
and Acacia spp. The fauna include Gazella dorctU and G. dama, as
well as the ostrich, warthog, and giraffe, although these wild populations
have been drastically reduced in recent years because of
the use of motorized vehicles and firearms (Nicholas, 1950j Richer,
1924). Three seasonal extremes can be distinguished: a cold, dry
period from December through Februaryj a hot, dry period during
April and Mayj and a wet season beginning in mid-June and lasting
until September, during which violent storms and the only measurable
precipitation during the year occur. Temperatures during the
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