The Tuaregs, called ‘the blue knights of the Sahara’ because of their indigo-dyed outfits that leave lasting marks on the skin are a tribe of extremely proud, independent nomads. They inhabit almost all parts of the Sahara. They belong to the group of Berber peoples.

They use a language called Tamashek and are the only ones in North Africa who do not use Arabic letters but have their own tifinagh script.

They are masters of geometrical and abstract decorations on daily objects. They use the skin of camels and donkeys because of its lightness, durability and flexibility. They use it to produce saddles, pillows, wallets and decorations.

To the right, there is a typical Tuareg saddle for horseback riding. Saddlecloth placed under the saddle is there to protect against abrasions. A transport bag is elaborately decorated. A transport chest with an opening lid – a wooden box made by a blacksmith – covered with leather elaborately decorated overlays.. A leather pillow has a top side featuring bountiful geometrical ornamentation.

The traditional men’s costume, made by women, called a ‘tekamist’ is made of a large rectangle of blue cloth with a poncho-like cut and an elaborate decorative pattern. Men wear a roll of white cloth that encircles the head and covers the face. Suspended from the neck is the Agadez Cross – a typical type of Tuareg jewellery – and a leather El Mecca bag with a verse from the Qur'an sewn inside. In this way, a Tuareg wanders through the sands of the Sahara with his God.

The women’s dress is black. Unlike in the Arab world, Tuareg women do not cover their faces. Tuareg women are held in high esteem. The tent in which the entire family lives belongs to them.

A Tuareg home is a tent made of camel skins.

Other noteworthy exhibits include weapons such as Takuba swords, daggers and bows.

There is also a cabinet displaying curiosities such as sorghum and millet – African cereals – an elephant tooth, a scorpion, an ostrich feather fan or a mask made of a hippopotamus tooth.

Above is a collection of wooden spoons made from a single piece of wood.

Fetish maker’s hats are also on display. The one with antelope horns was a present Doctor Szczygieł got from a shaman for curing his son.

Another curiosity: manillas – commodity money – used for the purchase of a wife or a slave.

A huge python skin can be seen above the door with shepherds’ hats beneath it.