The then Governor of Nigeria, Sir H. Clifford, and the French Ministry of Colonies earned the gratitude of Angus Buchanan and myself by their assistance on the road and in facilitating our journey.

My brother-in-law, T. A. Emmet, was good enough to execute several drawings from rough sketches I had made on the spot. Two of these drawings are reproduced as plates Nos. 38 and 39.

To three persons it is difficult for me to express my gratitude at all suitably. D. G. Hogarth read my manuscript and offered his invaluable advice regarding the final form of the book as it now appears. Many years’ association with him has led others beside myself to regard him in his wisdom as our spiritual godfather in things appertaining to the world of Islam. My father devoted many days and nights to correcting the final draft and proofs of this book. My brother Peter, when his versatile mind perceived certain improvements, rewrote Chapter XII after I had become so tired of the sight of my manuscript that I was on the verge of destroying the offensive object. I owe more to both these two than I can explain.

F. R. R.

New York,
31st December, 1925.

CONTENTS

CHAPTERPAGE
I.Introductory[1]
II.The Southlands[36]
III.The City of Agades[80]
IV.The Organisation of the Air Tuareg[119]
V.Social Conditions[154]
VI.The Mode of Life of the Nomads[183]
VII.Trade and Occupations[213]
VIII.Architecture and Art[238]
IX.Religion and Beliefs[273]
X.Northern Air and the Kel Owi[298]
XI.The Ancestry of the Tuareg of Air[330]
XII.The History of Air. Part I. The Migrations of the Tuareg to Air[360]
XIII.The History of Air. Part II. The Vicissitudes of the Tuareg in Air[401]
XIV.Valedictory[417]
APPENDIXPAGE
I.A List of the Astronomically Determined Points in Air[422]
II.The Tribal Organisation of the Tuareg of Air[426]
III.Elakkos and Termit[442]
IV.Ibn Batutah’s Journey[452]
V.On the Root “MZGh” in Various Libyan Names[457]
VI.The Kings of the Tuareg of Air[463]
VII.Some Bibliographical Material used in this Book[466]
Index[469]