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Gallery view, Tuareg Clothing, Mingei International Museum. Photograph by Ron Kerner, 2024.

Tuareg Clothing

Credit Line Mingei International Museum. Photograph by Ron Kerner, 2024.

A typical Tuareg man’s clothing ensemble consists of several garments—trousers, a long-sleeved, calf-length tunic, and a voluminous robe, coupled with a turban covering the head and face. The Tuareg are often called the “blue men of the desert” because their clothing is so saturated with indigo that it comes off on their skin. The source of much of their indigo-dyed fabric is Kano, Nigeria, which has dye pits dating to the 15th century that are still in use today.

  1. Tuareg Turban
    Unidentified Maker, Tuareg culture
    About 1980
    Kenya
    Cotton, indigo
    Collection of Christina Kim

  2. Tuareg Garment
    Unidentified Maker, Tuareg culture
    20th century
    Burkina Faso
    Cotton, indigo
    Anonymous loan

  3. Tuareg Wallet
    Unidentified Maker, Tuareg culture
    20th century
    West Africa, Sahel region
    Leather, dyes
    Collection, Mingei International Museum. Gift of Dr. Mark S. Rapoport and Jane Hughes, 1999-35-011

Gallery View, Tuareg Clothing, Mingei International Museum. Photograph by Ron Kerner, 2024.

Unidentified Maker, Tuareg culture, Tuareg Wallet, 20th century, West Africa, Sahel region. Leather, dyes Mingei International Museum, Gift of Dr. Mark S. Rapoport and Jane Hughes, 1999-35-011. Photograph by Ron Kerner, 2024.
Unidentified Maker, Tuareg culture, Tuareg Wallet, 20th century, West Africa, Sahel region. Leather, dyes Mingei International Museum, Gift of Dr. Mark S. Rapoport and Jane Hughes, 1999-35-011. Photograph by Ron Kerner, 2024.
Gallery view, Tuareg Clothing, Mingei International Museum. Photograph by Ron Kerner, 2024.
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