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In Niger, nomadic herders gather in shadow of jihadist threat

A group of Wodaabe men are seen dancing during the Cure Salee, in Ingall, northern Niger on September 18, 2021. For three days the Saharan desert of Ingall, in the north of Niger, was draped with the colors of the tunics of thousands of herders who came to celebrate their traditions. (Photo by Michele Cattani / AFP)

Woodabe people gather to start dancing during the festival Cure Salee in Ingall, in Niger on September 16, 2021. Red, orange, blue, fuchsia ... For three days the Saharan desert of Ingall, in the north of Niger, was draped with the colors of the tunics of thousands of herders who came to celebrate their traditions. (Photo by Michele Cattani / AFP)

Men try rings during the annual festival for nomad people called Cure Salee in Ingall, in Niger on September 16, 2021. Red, orange, blue, fuchsia ... For three days the Saharan desert of Ingall, in the north of Niger, was draped with the colors of the tunics of thousands of herders who came to celebrate their traditions. (Photo by Michele Cattani / AFP)

Spectators wait for the start of the camel race, during the Cure Salee, the annual festival for nomadic people, in Ingall, northern Niger, on September 18, 2021. The Ingall race is a great Nigerian celebration of Saharan pastoralism caught up in the jihadist conflict in the region. These camels, although they live deep in the desert, are known in the region: they are the same ones that win race after race. Their owners are rich; they are not looking for money but for Saharan glory. (Photo by Michele Cattani / AFP)

Men ride their camels during the annual festival for nomad people called Cure Salee in Ingall, in Niger on September 16, 2021. Red, orange, blue, fuchsia ... For three days the Saharan desert of Ingall, in the north of Niger, was draped with the colors of the tunics of thousands of herders who came to celebrate their traditions. (Photo by Michele Cattani / AFP)

Finalists of the camel race wait to be awarded during the Cure Salee, the annual festival for nomadic people, in Ingall, northern Niger, on Saturday 18, 2021. The Ingall race is a great Nigerian celebration of Saharan pastoralism caught up in the jihadist conflict in the region. These camels, although they live deep in the desert, are known in the region: they are the same ones that win race after race. Their owners are rich; they are not looking for money but for Saharan glory. (Photo by Michele Cattani / AFP)

People attend the annual festival for nomad people called Cure Salee in Ingall, in Niger on September 16, 2021. Red, orange, blue, fuchsia ... For three days the Saharan desert of Ingall, in the north of Niger, was draped with the colors of the tunics of thousands of herders who came to celebrate their traditions. (Photo by Michele Cattani / AFP)

A woman is seen in a camping site set by Wodaabe people at the Cure Salee, in Ingall, northern Niger, on September 17, 2021. For three days the Saharan desert of Ingall, in the north of Niger, was draped with the colors of the tunics of thousands of herders who came to celebrate their traditions. (Photo by Michele Cattani / AFP)

A group of Wodaabe men rest after dancing during the Cure Salee, in Ingall, northern Niger, on September 18, 2021. For three days the Saharan desert of Ingall, in the north of Niger, was draped with the colors of the tunics of thousands of herders who came to celebrate their traditions. (Photo by Michele Cattani / AFP)

A young Wodaabe man helps his friend to set his turbant during the Cure Salee, in Ingall, northern Niger, on September 18, 2021. For three days the Saharan desert of Ingall, in the north of Niger, was draped with the colors of the tunics of thousands of herders who came to celebrate their traditions. (Photo by Michele Cattani / AFP)

A group of women ride their donkey during the annual festival for nomad people called Cure Salee in Ingall, in Niger on September 16, 2021. Red, orange, blue, fuchsia ... For three days the Saharan desert of Ingall, in the north of Niger, was draped with the colors of the tunics of thousands of herders who came to celebrate their traditions. (Photo by Michele Cattani / AFP)

A Wodaabe man helps his friend to set his turbant during the Cure Salee, in Ingall, northern Niger, on September 18, 2021. For three days the Saharan desert of Ingall, in the north of Niger, was draped with the colors of the tunics of thousands of herders who came to celebrate their traditions. (Photo by Michele Cattani / AFP)

Riders with their camels wait at the starting line of the camel race, during the Cure Salee, the annual festival for nomadic people, in Ingall, northern Niger, on Saturday 18, 2021. The Ingall race is a great Nigerian celebration of Saharan pastoralism caught up in the jihadist conflict in the region. These camels, although they live deep in the desert, are known in the region: they are the same ones that win race after race. Their owners are rich; they are not looking for money but for Saharan glory. (Photo by Michele Cattani / AFP)

A Wodaabe man is seen dancing in a group during the Cure Salee, in Ingall, northern Niger, on September 18, 2021. For three days the Saharan desert of Ingall, in the north of Niger, was draped with the colors of the tunics of thousands of herders who came to celebrate their traditions. (Photo by Michele Cattani / AFP)

A nomadic herder attends the Cure Salee, in Ingall, northern Niger, on September 18, 2021. For three days the Saharan desert of Ingall, in the north of Niger, was draped with the colors of the tunics of thousands of herders who came to celebrate their traditions. (Photo by Michele Cattani / AFP)

A young man rides his camel during the Cure Salee, in Ingall, northern Niger, on September 18, 2021. For three days the Saharan desert of Ingall, in the north of Niger, was draped with the colors of the tunics of thousands of herders who came to celebrate their traditions. (Photo by Michele Cattani / AFP)

Updated 20 September 2021 15:34

AFP

September 20, 2021 15:28

For three days, this semi-arid patch edging the Sahara desert blooms with a riot of colours -- red, orange, blue, fuschia -- as thousands of nomadic herders don their best dress for a festival celebrating their culture.