Today is

By: Ikedi Ani-okoye

AGADEZ

The mud-walled city of Agadez lies beneath the foothills of the stark and beautiful Arr Mountains, just west of the classic sand-dune sea of the Tenere Desert. An ancient trading town, it grew around the crossroads of the trans-Saharan caravan routes that linked Eglpt and Libya to the Lake Chad area and Nigeria. The epitome of an exotic desert toum, it is home to Fulani and Hausa tribesmen as well as nomadic Tiraregs, who walk the streets in their billowing blueishpurple robes, faces half covered by swathes of dark fabric.

Founded in the 1lth century, Agadez was a major Tirareg city, becoming a Sultanate in the 14th century. At its zenith during the 16th century it had a population of 30,000. The city declined during the 17th century after the Moroccan invasion of Sudan, but continued as a centre of Islarnic learning" It was taken over by the French, around 1900. Nowadays, still a Sultanate, Agadez is on the 'Uranium Highway' linking Air to Niamey.

A French owned uraniurn mine lies 250 km (156 mi) to the north, its extractions fuelling France's nuclear power stations. The main sight here is the Grand Mosque, built in 1515. Said to be the highest mud-brick minaret in Afric a at 27 m (Bg ft), it was re-built tn 1844 to the original design, spiked with traditional wooden crossbars. Nearby stands the three storey Sultan's Palace - arrange a visit and, possibly, meet the Sultan.

The old town is a maze of narrow alleyways between single storey houses, some of which have beautifully decorated facades. At its heart is the Grand Marche where Tuareg people do business with southern Hausa traders. Here are desert handicrafts including Tuareg leather and silverwork. Agadez crosses, of unique geometric design, have protective symbolism, and are worn by almost all Tuaregs. Watch them being made in the Artisan Centre and take one home as a reminder of this remote and romantic place

POPULATION: AGADEZ

89,000 (2005) WHEN TO GO: December to February.

DON'T MISS: AGADEZ

The Camel market, Camel trekking in the Air Mountains. 4 wheel drive expeditions into the Tenere Desert. The oasis towns of Timia and lferouane.

YOU SHOULD KNOW: AGADEZ

Tuaregs are the original Canaanites of the Bible - Canaan means 'land of the purple people'. Despite the accord reached with the government in 1995, rebel groups demanding more autonomy, staged an attack on
Agadez airport in June 2007. No casualties or serious damage was done.