Teguidda-N-Tesemt

   A village located in the Tuareg oasis of In Gall, Aïr, where the Ingalkoyyu or Issawaghan cultivate date palms and practice subsistence irrigated agriculture. It is a historical caravan stop on the western route to Gao. It is about 20 kilometers from the archaeological site of Azelik, a major village that competed for dominance with Agadez in the 15th century. Teguidda is about 80 kilometers to the north of In Gall, and its prominence is due to the availability of salt pans, springs, and seasonal festivals. The evaporated salt is used by herders to keep their livestock healthy, and cash from salt and decorated mats of palm leaves is used to buy millet and other necessities. The village plays host to the nomads of the region for the annual Akasa, or cure salée, in early September when the herds are driven to the area around In Gall to use the salty water and grass found there.