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Niger "Water from the Desert" Jay Dunn 23 images Created 27 Mar 2008

West Africa, Niger, 2007. Where many see only sand, Rissa Ixa and his team of Tuareg workers have drawn water from the ground by marrying ancient methods to solid engineering skills. They have invested in serious rigging and safety equipment over the years, and have built reliable wells in almost forty places, supporting a community of nomads marginalized by the government.

At this isolated location lies an Eden of green in the desert, made possible by a single plentiful well. Acres of tomatoes, potatoes, beans climbing up corn stalks, peppers, gourds, rice and herbs all grow here, thanks to a rotating crew of Tuareg, who take turns cultivating and then guarding the produce. Visible reminders of failure lie close by. Bores are made to no avail, and some wells deteriorate or simply dry up. But with little funding, and under tough conditions, the Tuareg are undaunted and are often rewarded for their efforts. -- More at www.jaydunn.org --
Humanitarian Issues & Cultural Tradition Worldwide
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  • Niger, Agadez, Tidene, 2007.  Rissa Ixa's 4 x 4 carries curved steel well sections to be delivered to a new Tuareg well site.
    Niger.JDUNN.01.water.jpg
  • Niger, Agadez, Tidene, 2007. A well worker ascends from the bottom of a new bore. The Tuareg have invested in safety gear and good rigging.
    Niger.JDUNN.02.water.jpg
  • Niger, Agadez, Tidene, 2007. An arrangement of ropes and pulleys enables this water bag to be raised by donkey or camel.
    Niger.JDUNN.03.water.jpg
  • Niger, Agadez, Tidene, 2007. Rissa Ixa and Heishi Ali survey the area around the well head. The gardens are well-protected from animals.
    Niger.JDUNN.04.water.jpg
  • Niger, Agadez, Tidene, 2007. Not a single piece of modern technology is used in the assembly of this efficient well rigging.
    Niger.JDUNN.05.water.jpg
  • Niger, Agadez, Tidene, 2007. Camels are used in tandem to raise water at this especially productive Tuareg well.
    Niger.JDUNN.06.water.jpg
  • Niger, Agadez, Tidene, 2007. Water cascades first into a sluice, then is chanelled into an irrigation system that feeds many acres of Tuareg gardens.
    Niger.JDUNN.07.water.jpg
  • Niger, Agadez, Tidene, 2007. These well-established tomato fields are the result of many seasons of hard work and careful management.
    Niger.JDUNN.08.water.jpg
  • Niger, Agadez, Tidene, 2007. Two camels are used at this well, each taking turns raising water bags in a well-rehearsed rhythm.
    Niger.JDUNN.09.water.jpg
  • Niger, Agadez, Tidene, 2007. Women slice the many tomatoes that are produced here and put them out to dry in the sun.
    Niger.JDUNN.10.water.jpg
  • Niger, Agadez, Tidene, 2007. Tidene is too far away from viable marketplaces, so the Tuareg dry their tomatoes for easier transport and longer product life.
    Niger.JDUNN.11.water.jpg
  • Niger, Agadez, Tidene, 2007. The water the Tuareg raise sustains many trees as well, including palms whose fiber is used for weaving. .
    Niger.JDUNN.12.water.jpg
  • Niger, Agadez, Tidene, 2007. Water enables the Tuareg to grow all kinds of vegetables, including onions, garlic, squash, beans, and corn.
    Niger.JDUNN.13.water.jpg
  • Niger, Agadez, Tidene, 2007. Rissa Ixa consults with Tuareg nomads using another of his wells. Each bore is different and requires maintenance.
    Niger.JDUNN.14.water.jpg
  • Niger, Agadez, Tidene, 2007. Tuareg nomads struggle to empty a well that became tainted. One man is thirty feet below removing blockage.
    Niger.JDUNN.15.water.jpg
  • Niger, Agadez, Tidene, 2007. Making use of the shade, a wild camel observes his domesticated kin at work near the well.
    Niger.JDUNN.16.water.jpg
  • Niger, Agadez, Tidene, 2007. Heishi Ali unloads equipment and provisions for the central storehouse on Tidene land. Well workers use this small market for essentials.
    Niger.JDUNN.17.water.jpg
  • Niger, Agadez, Tidene, 2007.  Rissa Ixa inside one of the only permanent buildings in Tidene. He has discovered water in over forty places.
    Niger.JDUNN.18.water.jpg
  • Niger, Agadez, Tidene, 2007. Rice is also grown on Tuareg land. Although it is water-needy, hardy strains grow well here.
    Niger.JDUNN.19.water.jpg
  • Niger, Agadez, Tidene, 2007. A single harvest of tomatoes will bring to the Tidene area not only food but money for much needed supplies.
    Niger.JDUNN.20.water.jpg
  • Niger, Agadez, Tidene, 2007. Women walk in to the well area from miles around. Many do not have animals to spare for transporting people or goods.
    Niger.JDUNN.21.water.jpg
  • Niger, Agadez, Tidene, 2007. A boy takes a break from tending fields. Tuareg live on site and take turns tending and protecting the crops.
    Niger.JDUNN.22.water.jpg
  • Niger, Agadez, Tidene, 2007. Women enter the garden compound. They will buy or trade for vegetables and carry back as much water as possible.
    Niger.JDUNN.23.water.jpg