Moussa Ag Amastan

Musa Ag Amastan (1867–1920) was the Chief (Amenokal) of the Kel Ahaggar Tuareg from 1905 to 1920. Based in the Ahaggar, he formed part of the Kel Ghela.

Musa Ag Amastan
Amenokal of the Kel Ahaggar
Musa ag Amastan arriving in Paris (1910)
Reign	1905–1920
Born	1867 Hoggar Mountains, Algeria
Died	1920
Religion	Islam

Reign

Many of the French who had met Moussa noted his religiosity.^[1] Maurice Benhazera confirmed Moussa's religious fervour.

There are indications that Moussa's life did undergo a considerable change when he was about 30 years old (that is, c. 1897) in the form of an enhanced religiosity, which can be attributed to the spiritual mentorship of Bay al-Kunti ^[1][2] who resided in Téleya in the Adrar des Ifoghas.^[2]

In 1901 Musa ag Amastan was part of the Kel Ahaggar coalition leading a rezzu (invasion) against the Berabich of Azawad submitted to the French authorities in Timbuktu.^[3]

It was during the summer of 1910 that he travelled in France. Led officially by the captain Niéger and accompanied by the commander Laperrine, his journey then took the name of "Mission Touareg".^[4]

Quote

« Je ne pourrais pas vivre ici. Vous avez de la chance de les (toutes ces belles choses) posséder et de savoir vous en servir. Remerciez Dieu chaque jour. Il a été bon pour vous.  ».^[5] (Translation: " I could not live here. You are lucky to have them (all these beautiful things) and know how to use them. Thank God every day. He has been good for you".

Legacy

Antonello Padovano wrote and directed the film "The Four Doors of the Desert" based on Moussa Ag Amastan life and his love for Dassine Oult Yemma and his friendship with Father Charles de Foucauld.^[6]

References

1. Keenan, Jeremy (2 August 2004). The Lesser Gods of the Sahara: Social Change and Indigenous Rights. Routledge. p. 44. ISBN 9781135758059.
2. Pandolfi, Paul (1998). "In-Salah 1904/Tamanrasset 1905 : les deux soumissions des Touaregs Kel-Ahaggar". Cahiers d'études africaines. 38 (149): 47. doi:10.3406/cea.1998.1976. Retrieved 16 August 2016.
3. Pandolfi, Paul (1998). "In-Salah 1904/Tamanrasset 1905 : les deux soumissions des Touaregs Kel-Ahaggar". Cahiers d'études africaines. 38 (149): 45. doi:10.3406/cea.1998.1976. Retrieved 16 August 2016.
4. See Valérie Chébiri, 2019, " Mission Touareg ", ou le voyage de l'Aménokal Moussa ag Amastan Archived 2022-05-03 at the Wayback Machine, Paris, Editions Saint-Honoré, for the timeline and details of this trip, as well as SMDBast Production on Youtube for videos on this topic.
5. Valérie Chébiri, 2019 Archived 2022-05-03 at the Wayback Machine, p.108. See also SMDBast Production on Youtube for its documentaries and videos among which "Moussa ag Amastan et les Témoignages Connus de la "Mission Touareg" ".
6. "Vimeo".