Desertification and drought in this landlocked West African country are forcing more and more nomads to give up their livestock and settle in cities. WIt is a sweet sound for the Nigerien nomads-the Tuareg and Wodaabe peoples-because it signals that the Cure Salée festival has begun. A woman steps on stage and settles behind a microphone. When I’m done picking grit from my teeth, people on foot have started gathering around a small wooden platform. I jump back seconds before a stray camel tramples me into vulture feed. Soon everywhere I look there is a flurry of criss-crossing knobby beige legs. Another group of 15 or so circles in from behind, followed by a third, then a fourth. Tightly wound turbans conceal all but the riders’ eyes. The men peer down from their tall leather perches as they rush past. The men on camels emerge like ghost riders through thick veils of Saharan dust, sleeves and pant legs flapping as they stampede toward the festival grounds. Once a year, deep in the Sahara, nomads gather to celebrate life, love and an almost forgotten way of life. Story and Photos by Shanna Baker (Feature photo by Grant Faint) Once a year, deep in the Sahara, nomads gather to celebrate life, love, and an almost forgotten way of life.
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