The Ikelan (Éklan/Ikelan or Ibenheren in Tamasheq; Bouzou in Hausa; Bella in Songhai; singular Akli) are a caste within Tuareg society, who were at one time slaves or servile communities in their native lands like Mauritania, Mali and Niger.
The Ikelan's situation is somewhat analogous to that of the Haratin within Maure society in Mauritania. Like the Haratin, the name "Ikelan", and to a much greater degree Bouzou and Bella, are exonyms (a name not used by that people themselves) with negative connotations. Historically the term "Ikelan" has been used to refer to the slaves of the Tuareg.[1] Moreover, while they now speak the same language as Tuareg nobles, they are possibly of assimilated origin from other local neighbouring communities.[2][3]
- ^ Hsain Ilahiane (17 July 2006). Historical Dictionary of the Berbers (Imazighen). Scarecrow Press. p. 61. ISBN 9780810864900.
- ^ Gaston, Tony (2019-10-15). African Journey: A Voyage on the Sea of Humanity. FriesenPress. ISBN 978-1-5255-4981-6.
- ^ Nicolaisen, Johannes (1963). Ecology and Culture of the Pastoral Tuareg: With Particular Reference to the Tuareg of Ahaggar and Ayr. National Museum of Copenhagen. p. 16. Retrieved 20 May 2016.