Le Tassili n’Ajjer

Terres Touareg

The Tassili n’Ajjer Cultural Park, a jewel in the Algerian Sahara

The Tassili n’Ajjer is a mountain range in the heart of the Algerian Sahara, straddling Algeria and Libya. It represents a priceless natural and cultural heritage,
particularly for the Tuareg tribes who have lived there for centuries.

This national park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is home to spectacular landscapes and a flora and fauna that are unique in the world.
traditions of the Tuareg people.

The Tassili n’Ajjer plateau, a backdrop of rock formations

The Tassili n’Ajjer is a vast plateau covering some 120,000 km² in south-east Algeria. It is 800 km long and 60 km wide, reaching an altitude of over 2,000 metres. The massif is essentially made up of sandstone, the result of erosion of the ancient crystalline mountains that once covered the Algerian Sahara.

To the west, it is bordered by majestic cliffs overlooking the plain, dotted with imposing dunes such as those of the Admer and Tihodaine ergs. To the south, towards Djanet, the landscape changes with spectacular rock formations, notably granite peaks revealed by erosion. In the far south-east, the Tadrart Rouge region enchants with its red-tinted landscapes.

These impressive settings, inhabited by Tuareg tribes, make the Tassili n’Ajjer National Park one of the most fascinating regions in the Algerian Sahara.

Tuareg tribes between nomadism and sedentarism

The Tassili n’Ajjer region is home to several Tuareg tribes, some nomadic and others sedentary. The majority of the population is now sedentary, living in small urban centres such as Djanet. However, some Tuareg tribes continue to practise nomadism, moving according to the seasons and available water resources. Among the main Tuareg groups of the Tassili n’Ajjer are the Ouraghen, the Imanan, the Imenghassaten, the Kel Abada and many others. Each tribe has its own customs and traditions, but all share a strong bond with this arid land of the Algerian Sahara.

In detail, the different Tuareg tribes:

  • the Ouraghen: nomadic between Djanet, Mankhor, Ghadamès, Illizi and Imehrou
  • the Imanan: former overlords of Ajjer country and the Tuareg of the north, only a small number remain in Djanet and Ihrir
  • the Imenghassaten: sword nobility, together with the Imanan and the Ouraghen, they form one of the three main noble groups in Ajjer. They originate from the Fezzan
  • the Idjeradjriouen: their name means ‘those in the middle’, probably due to their median position in the Tassili massif
  • the Kel Abada: they take their name from the Abada region, where they are accustomed to nomadising
  • the Ifilalen: settled in Al Awaynat, they cultivate the palm trees of this region
  • the Imeqqerghessen: they nomadise in the Admer plain and between Djanet and Ghat
  • the Kel Tobren: they grow palm trees in Ahahar and nomad in Fadnoun
  • the Kel In Tounin: originally from the Hoggar massif, now settled in Tammadjert in the Tassili
  • the Ihadhanaren: these are among the noble tribes of Ajjer, traditionally nomadic in the Admer plain but now settled in Djanet
  • the Ifoughas: one of the best-studied groups in Ajjer, originally from the Adrar on the Algerian-Malian border
  • the Ibattanaten: camped around Djanet and Ihrir
  • the Kel Djanet: live in the three original villages of the Djanet oasis
  • the Kel Ihrir: first inhabitants of the small oasis of Ihrir
  • the Kel Ammeradjen: their name means ‘those of the confluences’ because of the position of their settlement

A unique biosphere reserve

The Tassili n’Ajjer National Park has been a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve since 1986, which means that it is a place of learning about sustainable development. This type of reserve, designated by the local government and UNESCO, has three main objectives: conservation of biodiversity and cultural diversity, sustainable economic development, and logistical support (research, monitoring, education and training).

As a biosphere reserve, the Tassili n’Ajjer Park comprises a protected area of 80,000 km², surrounded by buffer zones covering 40,000 km² (area used for activities compatible with ecological practices).

The fauna and flora of the Tassili n’Ajjer are of worldwide biological interest, with endemic species adapted to the extreme conditions of the desert. Some species, such as the cuffed sheep and the addax, are threatened and rare, making the park a vital sanctuary for their survival. The park is managed with the aim of preserving these natural treasures, while at the same time allowing the Tuareg tribes and local populations to make reasonable use of them.

The cave paintings and engravings of Tassili n’Ajjer

The Tassili n’Ajjer park is renowned for its impressive prehistoric cave paintings and engravings. Known as ‘the world’s largest open-air museum’, it bears witness to the ancient history of the Tuareg people and the first inhabitants of the Algerian Sahara.

Among the emblematic works is ‘The Weeping Cow’ at Tegharghart, near Djanet, a touching painting depicting a cow with tears, probably linked to the harsh climatic changes experienced by the inhabitants at the time. At Jabbaren, another remarkable site, there are well-preserved paintings of domestic animals and people in a variety of styles (Round Heads, Bovidian Shepherds), as well as enigmatic pictographs.

Tin Tazarift is also home to engravings of Saharan fauna, such as giraffes and antelopes, which once populated these lands that are now desert.

These works of rock art offer visitors a fascinating insight into the lives and beliefs of the prehistoric communities of the Tassili n’Ajjer, when this was a land of verdant landscapes.

Tourism development in Tassili n’Ajjer

Tourism has been an essential activity in the Tassili n’Ajjer for several decades. Djanet, in the heart of the Algerian Sahara, is the region’s main tourist centre. As early as the 1960s, the first tourist agencies were set up, enabling visitors to discover the beauty of the Tassili n’Ajjer through a variety of tours.

These tours include hikes, camel treks and visits to rock art sites. The National Park Office manages tourism activities in order to preserve this fragile environment and promote ethical and sustainable tourism. The tours on offer allow visitors to discover the breathtaking landscapes and rock engravings without harming nature.

Visitors are invited to immerse themselves in the history of the Tuareg people while exploring the wild beauty of the park and, more broadly, the Algerian Sahara. The unique landscapes of the Tassili n’Ajjer, its thousand-year-old rock engravings and the rich culture of the Tuareg tribes make it an unmissable travel destination for lovers of nature, history and adventure.

The Tassili n’Ajjer Cultural Park, a jewel in the Algerian Sahara
The Tassili n’Ajjer Cultural Park, a jewel in the Algerian Sahara
The Tassili n’Ajjer Cultural Park, a jewel in the Algerian Sahara

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