H. R. Palmer, now H.M. Lieutenant-Governor of Northern Nigeria, and Messrs. Macmillan & Co. have given me permission to use a table of the Kings of Agades incorporated as Appendix VI. The list originally appeared _in extenso_, with the names somewhat differently spelled, in an article which he published in the _Journal of the African Society_ in July 1910. The great learning and sympathetic help which he was good enough to put at my disposal have made me, in common with many others in Nigeria, in whose friendship my journey so richly rewarded me, hope that he may be induced to render more accessible to the public the immense fund of historical and other material which he has accumulated during his long career as a distinguished Colonial servant. The then Governor of Nigeria, Sir H. Clifford, and the French Ministry of Colonies earned the gratitude of Angus Buchanan and myself by their assistance on the road and in facilitating our journey. My brother-in-law, T. A. Emmet, was good enough to execute several drawings from rough sketches I had made on the spot. Two of these drawings are reproduced as plates Nos. 38 and 39. To three persons it is difficult for me to express my gratitude at all suitably. D. G. Hogarth read my manuscript and offered his invaluable advice regarding the final form of the book as it now appears. Many years’ association with him has led others beside myself to regard him in his wisdom as our spiritual godfather in things appertaining to the world of Islam. My father devoted many days and nights to correcting the final draft and proofs of this book. My brother Peter, when his versatile mind perceived certain improvements, rewrote Chapter XII after I had become so tired of the sight of my manuscript that I was on the verge of destroying the offensive object. I owe more to both these two than I can explain. F. R. R. _New York, 31st December, 1925._ CONTENTS CHAPTER PAGE I. INTRODUCTORY 1 II. THE SOUTHLANDS 36 III. THE CITY OF AGADES 80 IV. THE ORGANISATION OF THE AIR TUAREG 119 V. SOCIAL CONDITIONS 154 VI. THE MODE OF LIFE OF THE NOMADS 183 VII. TRADE AND OCCUPATIONS 213 VIII. ARCHITECTURE AND ART 238 IX. RELIGION AND BELIEFS 273 X. NORTHERN AIR AND THE KEL OWI 298 XI. THE ANCESTRY OF THE TUAREG OF AIR 330