Taghlamt - Going to Bilma
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Niger - Going to Bilma
For centuries, camel caravans have carried salt along caravan routes across the Sahara Desert. One of these routes went from the salt springs in Bilma and westwards in Niger to the oasis towns of the Aïr Mountains and to Agadez. It is called the “Taghlamt”.
A caravan getting ready before going to Bilma
A caravan is getting ready to go to Bilma get salt. The camels carry their own fodder in addition to food and supplies for the camel drivers.
It is the single-humped dromedary that is used in caravan operations. A dromedary is well adapted to the desert climate. It can go for 10 days without drinking, often in temperatures approaching 50 degrees. A thirsty animal can drink close to 130 litres in just 13-14 minutes.
A caravan getting ready before going to Bilma
A caravan is getting ready to go to Bilma get salt. The camels carry their own fodder in addition to food and supplies for the camel drivers.
A caravan getting ready before going to Bilma
A caravan is getting ready to go to Bilma get salt. The camels carry their own fodder in addition to food and supplies for the camel drivers.
It is the single-humped dromedary that is used in caravan operations. A dromedary is well adapted to the desert climate. It can go for 10 days without drinking, often in temperatures approaching 50 degrees. A thirsty animal can drink close to 130 litres in just 13-14 minutes.
A caravan getting ready before going to Bilma
A caravan is getting ready to go to Bilma get salt. The camels carry their own fodder in addition to food and supplies for the camel drivers.
A caravan getting ready before going to Bilma
A caravan is getting ready to go to Bilma get salt. The camels carry their own fodder in addition to food and supplies for the camel drivers.
A caravan getting ready before going to Bilma
A caravan is getting ready to go to Bilma get salt. The camels carry their own fodder in addition to food and supplies for the camel drivers.
A caravan getting ready before going to Bilma
A caravan is getting ready to go to Bilma get salt. The camels carry their own fodder in addition to food and supplies for the camel drivers.
A caravan going to Bilma to get salt
A caravan is getting ready to go to Bilma get salt. The camels carry their own fodder in addition to food and supplies for the camel drivers.
From dawn to dusk, the caravan is in continuous motion. The caravan only stops for rest at night and short stops to get water for the camels.
Caravan stopping at a well on the way to Bilma
In some places along the way, wells have been excavated where it is possible to find water for men and camels. This well is located near Fachi.
• Fachi is an oasis surrounded by the Ténéré desert It has a population of around 2,000 people. It is one of the stopping points of the Agadez to Bilma caravans. Just like in Bilma, salt is also produced in Fachi.
• Fachi is 240 kilometers west of Bilma and 320 km east of the Aïr Mountains.
Caravan stopping at a well on the way to Bilma
In some places along the way, wells have been excavated where it is possible to find water for men and camels. This well is located near Fachi.
A caravan going to Bilma to get salt
A caravan on the way to Bilma. The camels carry their own fodder in addition to food and supplies for the camel drivers.
The route passes through the oasis town of Fachi and the 600 km takes around 3 weeks (each way). Traditionally, caravans travelled this stretch twice a year, first in March and then in November, but today the caravan season is limited to one in November. When the caravan reaches Bilma, it stays for about a week for rest and loading of salt.
A caravan going to Bilma to get salt
A caravan on the way to Bilma. The camels carry their own fodder in addition to food and supplies for the camel drivers.
Water for men and animals
In some places along the way, wells have been excavated where it is possible to find water for men and camels. Wells may sometimes be hundreds of miles apart. The water from the well is distributed among humans and animals. A camel / dromedary is well adapted to the desert climate. It can go for 10 days without drinking, often in temperatures approaching 50 degrees. A thirsty animal can drink close to 130 litres in just 13-14 minutes.
Water for men and animals
In some places along the way, wells have been excavated where it is possible to find water for men and camels.
Teamwork: lifting water from a well
Everyone helps to lift water up from the well. A camel / dromedary can go for 10 days without drinking, often in temperatures approaching 50 degrees. A thirsty animal can drink close to 130 litres in just 13-14 minutes.
Teamwork: lifting water from a well
Everyone helps to lift water up from the well. A camel / dromedary can go for 10 days without drinking, often in temperatures approaching 50 degrees. A thirsty animal can drink close to 130 litres in just 13-14 minutes.
Caravan stopping at a well on the way to Bilma
In some places along the way, wells have been excavated where it is possible to find water for men and camels. This well is located near Fachi.
Caravan stopping at a well on the way to Bilma
In some places along the way, wells have been excavated where it is possible to find water for men and camels. This well is located near Fachi.
Water for men and animals
In some places along the way, wells have been excavated where it is possible to find water for men and camels. This well is located near Fachi.
Precious water for men and animals
In some places along the way, wells have been excavated where it is possible to find water for men and camels. Wells may sometimes be hundreds of miles apart. The water from the well is distributed among humans and animals.
Water for the camels
The camel drivers gather around the well. A camel / dromedary is well adapted to the desert climate. It can go for 10 days without drinking, often in temperatures approaching 50 degrees. A thirsty animal can drink close to 130 litres in just 13-14 minutes.
Teamwork: lifting water from a well
Helping to lift water up from the well. A camel / dromedary can go for 10 days without drinking, often in temperatures approaching 50 degrees. A thirsty animal can drink close to 130 liters in just 13-14 minutes.
Camel driver waiting while the camels are drinking.
One of the camel drivers is waiting while water is being fetched from the well nearby.
Camel driver waiting while the camels are drinking
One of the camel drivers is waiting while water is being fetched from the well nearby.
Two of the camel drivers are waiting while the camels are drinking
Two of the camel drivers are waiting while water is being fetched from the well nearby.
Camel driver waiting while the camels are drinking.
One of the camel drivers is waiting while water is being fetched from the well nearby.
The caravan is ready to move on
One of the camel drivers is waiting while water is being fetched from the well nearby.
The desert tree of Ténéré
The Ténéré Tree (French: L'Arbre du Ténéré) was a solitary acacia tree. The nearest tree was over 400 kilometres away (the acacia tree was considered the loneliest tree on earth). The tree was located near a well. The tree was run down by a truck driver in 1973. What was left of the tree was transported to the National Museum in the capital Niamey. A metal sculpture was later set up to replace the tree (in the background to the left).
A caravan going to Bilma to get salt
A caravan returns fully loaded with salt from Bilma. Each animal can carry up to 200 kilos.
Traditionally, caravans travelled this stretch twice a year, first in March and then in November, but today the caravan season is limited to one in November. When the caravan reaches Bilma, it stays for about a week for rest and loading of salt.
Heavily loaded caravan coming from Bilma.
A caravan on the way to Bilma. The camels carry their own fodder in addition to food and supplies for the camel drivers.
From dawn to dusk, the caravan is in continuous motion. The caravan only stops for rest at night and short stops to get water for the camels.
Heavily loaded caravan coming from Bilma
A caravan on the way to Bilma. The camels carry their own fodder in addition to food and supplies for the camel drivers.
From dawn to dusk, the caravan is in continuous motion. The caravan only stops for rest at night and short stops to get water for the camels.
A caravan comes from Bilma with salt
A caravan on the way to Bilma. The camels carry their own fodder in addition to food and supplies for the camel drivers.
From dawn to dusk, the caravan is in continuous motion. The caravan only stops for rest at night and short stops to get water for the camels.
A caravan comes from Bilma with salt
A caravan returns fully loaded with salt from Bilma. Each animal can carry up to 200 kilos.
The route passes through the oasis town of Fachi and the 600 km takes around 3 weeks (each way).
Traditionally, caravans travelled this stretch twice a year, first in March and then in November, but today the caravan season is limited to one in November. When the caravan reaches Bilma, it stays for about a week for rest and loading of salt.
Camel parking in Bilma
Just outside Bilma there is a large "parking lot" for the caravans who have come to pick up salt. Humans and animals rest here for about a week before the salt is loaded and the caravan starts on the return to Agadez.
• In 2012 Bilma had a total population of around 4000 people.
Two boys on horseback in Bilma
Just outside Bilma there is a large "parking lot" for the caravans who have come to pick up salt. Humans and animals rest here for about a week before the salt is loaded and the caravan starts on the return to Agadez.
A boy from Bilma
One of the boys from Bilma has come out to the camel parking to check out newly arrived caravans.
A boy from Bilma
One of the boys from Bilma has come out to the camel parking to check out newly arrived caravans.
A boy from Bilma
One of the boys from Bilma has come out to the camel parking lot to check out newly arrived caravans.
A seasoned caravan pilot feeding the camels in Bilma
The leader of one of the caravans who has come to Bilma to pick up salt.
Camels feeding in Bilma
Late in the afternoon after the caravan has arrived in Bilma, the camels get a little well-deserved hay.
Humans and animals rest here for about a week before the salt is loaded and the caravan starts on the return to Agadez.
Evening meal in Bilma.
In the caravan park, an evening meal is prepared.
Morning atmosphere at the camel parking in Bilma.
Just outside Bilma there is a large "parking lot" for the caravans who have come to pick up salt. Humans and animals rest here for about a week before the salt is loaded and the caravan starts on the return to Agadez.
Morning atmosphere at the camel parking in Bilma.
Just outside Bilma there is a large "parking lot" for the caravans who have come to pick up salt. Humans and animals rest here for about a week before the salt is loaded and the caravan starts on the return to Agadez.
Morning atmosphere at the camel parking in Bilma.
Just outside Bilma there is a large "parking lot" for the caravans who have come to pick up salt. Humans and animals rest here for about a week before the salt is loaded and the caravan starts on the return to Agadez.
Morning atmosphere at the camel parking in Bilma
Just outside Bilma there is a large "parking lot" for the caravans who have come to pick up salt. Humans and animals rest here for about a week before the salt is loaded and the caravan starts on the return to Agadez.
Morning atmosphee at the camel parking in Bilma
Just outside Bilma there is a large "parking lot" for the caravans who have come to pick up salt. Humans and animals rest here for about a week before the salt is loaded and the caravan starts on the return to Agadez.
Salt pans of Bilma
In Bilma, large pits are dug which are eventually filled with water. Through a cycle of water supply and vigorous evaporation, the water becomes very salty. A saline sludge forms at the bottom of the pits. This slush is picked up. The waste is mixed with crushed stone before it is all cast into moulds and dried in the sun. The rock mass is necessary to make the casting process work.