In Photos: Niger Tuareg Festival sees celebration of culture

Tuaregs in northern Niger are hoping to draw tourists back by putting their traditional dances, music poetry and camel races on display. (Photos: AP)

Tuareg men ride on camels during a festival in Iferouane. The Air festival, considered one of the most important gatherings to celebrate the culture of the Tuareg people, has been held since 2001.

Despite concerns about Islamic extremism throughout the Sahel region in West Africa, organizers recently hosted more than 1,000 visitors in Iferouane, a village in Niger's far north.

People dress in traditional costume during a festival in Iferouane, Niger. It was marked last month by the sound of tende, the Tuareg style of music and drumming, as the women and men, on foot and on their camels, participated in song and dance competitions.

A man performs during a festival in Iferouane, Niger. Since 2001, the gatherings have been held to celebrate the culture of the semi-nomadic Tuareg people.

Tuaregs in northern Niger are hoping to draw tourists back to the region by putting their traditional dances, music poetry and camel races on display.

Young girls sing during a festival in Iferouane, Niger. More than 2 million Tuaregs live in the Sahara Desert area, stretching across Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, Algeria and Tunisia.