Saharan Tuareg Muslim Males Are Oppressed

[jankren]

Many times we hear about the opression of Muslim women which is symbolized by their type of dress (burqa/face covering). However, did anyone know that the opposite happens in the Saharan Tuareg Tribe in which the males are obliged to cover their faces once they reach maturity while the women are not?

The Tuareg are matrilineal, though not matriarchal. Unlike many Muslim societies, women do not traditionally wear the veil, whereas men do. The most famous Tuareg symbol is the Tagelmust, an often blue indigo coloured veil. The men's facial covering originates from the belief that such action wards off evil spirits, but most probably relates to protection against the harsh desert sands as well; in any event, it is a firmly established tradition. Men begin wearing a veil when they reach maturity which usually conceals their entire face excluding their eyes and the top of the nose.

Tagelmust (also Tagelmoust) is a 3 to 5, but sometimes up to 10 meter-long indigo dyed cotton combination both a veil and a turban. It is worn mostly by Tuareg men, but is sometimes used by men in other tribes. In recent times other colors have come into use, with the indigo veils saved for use on special occasions.

The tagelmust is a very practical garment for the region, namely the Sahara, as it both covers the head and prevents the inhalation of wind borne sand. The indigo is also believed by many of the wearers to be healthy and beautiful, with a buildup of indigo in the skin of the wearer being generally considered a good thing. Because the tagelmust is often dyed by pounding in dried indigo instead of the normal process due to a lack of water, the dye often permanently leaches into the skin of the wearer. As such the Tuareg are often referred to as the "blue men of the desert".

Among the Tuareg, men who wear the tagelmust are called Kel Tagelmust, or "People of the Veil". The tagelmust is worn only by adult males, and only taken off in the presence of close family. Tuareg men often find shame in showing their mouth or nose to strangers or people of a higher standing than themselves, and have been known to hide their features using their hands if a tagelmust is unavailable. The tagelmust has other cultural significance, as the manner in which it is wrapped and folded is often used to show clan and regional origin, and the darkness to which it is dyed showing the wealth of the wearer.
http://www.answers.com/topic/tuareg
http://www.answers.com/topic/tagelmust

So when are we gonna protest against the opression of Tuareg men? They must feel very repressed by their customary way of dressing required in public while at the same time Tuareg women can go around without having to dress like a ninja.

Peace,

[hellheaven1987]

Actually, I find it is pretty handsome to wear such thing!! Ok, be seriously it is not a big deal actually, don't forget wearing that thing is good for health in Sahara Desert.

[jankren]

Actually, I find it is pretty handsome to wear such thing!! Ok, be seriously it is not a big deal actually, don't forget wearing that thing is good for health in Sahara Desert.

The purpose of this thread is indeed as you probably already figured out merely to show that the dessert dress of the Middle Eastern people, women or men are pure traditions with or without the word 'Islamic' labelled on it.

By the way, yeah I personally have never seen any Indonesian Muslims wearing face covering. But I have seen some Indonesian women wearing such a thing on TV while talking about their Arab husbands who were being arrested for terrorist allegations.

Peace,

[Yosemite]

Hahaha, oh wow, proof that this veil thing is not islamic.

What i often see here, is women who wear veil, but do not hide the lines and forms of the body, while the quran clearly states that the woman has to hide the chest and to lengthen the garnements. But no mention of hiding the hairs and ears and neck with some veil. And the only seeable parts are the usefull parts of the body... Face, hands and forearms, heads, feet and ankles.

[hellheaven1987]

That is true, I never see ANYONE in South-East Asia cover their face before.