Tuaregs performing the ceremonial camel-ride termed Ilugan, Tombouctou, Mali

"In a ceremonial ride termed Ilugan, which is performed at weddings and certain other feasts, the young men have a particular opportunity to display the beauty of their camels and their own ability as riders. The ride takes place on a level sandy place where the women gathered to sing and drum, while the men dressed in their finest clothes ride their ornamented camels to and fro past the women, who praise the beautiful camels and the skilled riders in their songs, their music, and by shrill cheers." [Nicolaisen J. and I., 1997: The Pastoral Tuareg: Ecology, Culture, and Society. Volume I. Thames and Hudson. Rhodos International Science and Art Publishers]. During his trip to Mali, Elisofon visited the Kel Tademekket confederation of Tuareg people located in the Tombouctou region. This photograph was taken when Eliot Elisofon was on assignment for Life magazine and traveled to Africa from August 18, 1959 to December 20, 1959.