TheImprovement ofTropical and Subtropical Rangelands

THE KEL TAMASHEQ 257
about 10 m to the east or west of the tent site, where the bones have
also been thrown.
The population density is approximately 0.3 individuals per
square kilometer. The size of the camps depends primarily on the
social class of the members, since a camp of noble Kel Tamasheq
would include their slaves and artisans as well as their own families.
Secondly, size depends on the availability of pasture; a large camp
may split if there is insufficient food for the animals. Some nomads
maintain that in the past, camps were considerably larger, perhaps
consisting of several hundred people, because pasture was more plentiful.
Others insist that this only appears to be the case because
either the individual camps of 100 were more common, as slaves who
now travel independently formerly lived with their masters, or these
small camps would migrate as a group for protection against enemies
rather than in dispersed units as they now do.
An example of the layout and demographic composition ofa large
Kel Tamasheq camp (Oulliminden) is presented in figures 3-4 and 3-5
and table 3-9 respectively. The sexual distribution varies with the
season, since during the months of February to May and September
to November the males often make journeys to sell animals and buy
necessities, collect taxes and tribute, conduct raids on enemies, or
just visit. Recent major epidemics of smallpox, measles, pneumonia,
and meningitis have decimated the youngest and oldest age groups.
(In the past, war appears to have been a more significant factor in
mortality than was disease.) A few small groups differ significantly
from this model, for their social codes have inhibited marriage and,
consequently, they are suffering major population declines.
Herd size reflects the wealth of the owner but not his social
status, since, at present, there are slaves and vassals who have more
animals than do the nobles. Traditionally, however, the noble was
considered to own the animals of his slaves and to have access to
those of his vassals. The number of iilan tents associated with an
imajaren, vassal, or mara60ut tent is, on the other hand, an indicator
of status. For example, the largest herds among the Kel Tamasheq
are owned by the vassal tribe, Deousahak, but they do not have iilan
and care for the animals themselves.
Ccmc:luslon
This description of the habitation and exploitation pattern of a
nomadic pastoralist group in a marginal environment with relatively