Pectoral pendant, Tuareg, Tamanrasset , Algeria, Silver, 23.5 x 24.5 x 1.4 cm. Collection of Musée du Quai Branly

STANFORD, CA.- The Cantor Arts Center at Stanford University presents "Art of Being Tuareg: Sahara Nomads in a Modern World," May 30 through September 2, 2007. This is the first major U.S. exhibition to examine Tuareg art, culture, and history, and it features more than 200 objects, including jewelry, clothing, leatherwork, and other distinctive items of these semi-nomadic West African people of Niger, Mali, and Algeria.
"The Tuareg, with their elegant dress, exquisite ornamentation, refined song, speech, and dance, have fascinated travelers and scholars throughout history," said Thomas K. Seligman, John & Jill Freidenrich Director of the Cantor Arts Center. "With Americans' increased awareness of the Islamic world, the sale of Tuareg jewelry in exclusive boutiques, recent tours in the U.S. by Tuareg music and dance groups, and even a car named after the people, this exhibition meets a growing interest in the Tuareg and their rich culture." Lire la suite http://www.artdaily.com/section/news/index.asp?int_sec=2&int_new=19844

Camel saddle, Kaggo Oumba, Tuareg, Niamey, Niger, Wood, leather, metal. 32.3 x 29.3 x 14.5 ". Cantor Arts Center collection