...wearing the traditional tagilmoust (veil/turban) and kitabs. Worn only by male Tamasheq (though increasingly worn by other ethnicities within the Kel Tamasheq), even in their sleep or when they are alone, it is the visible symbol of the Tamasheq identity and as such holds many subtle meanings relating to the collective pride of the Tamasheq in relation to other peoples, to the personality or status of each individual or to strict social codes of conduct. The first historical reference to the veil was made by the Persian historian and geographer, Al-Ya'qubi. The kitabs (from the Arabic word for book) are silver and copper chased talismanic amulets worn for protection. Typically each carries a verse of the Koran inside.
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