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Catherine Hincker, Le style touareg (ou la fonction sociale des techniques), Paris-Méditerranée, Paris, 2006, 171 p., 22 €. Made as one-offs or for daily use, Tuareg objects have a variety of forms, rhythms, colours and materials, which somehow echo each other to make a “style”. How can the “Tuareg” style be described ? This book tackles the beginnings and the function of the notion of style by analysing the representations and the parameters used in the manufacturing of Tuareg objects. The symbolic nature of the material used, the technical choices made in its creation and the expected aesthetic qualities mould the distinctive features of the Tuareg material world. These features are a representation of social and political principles which govern this nomad culture. In this way, the techniques appear strongly involved in social problems and the style acts as a catalyst between the two. Catherine Hincker is a ethnologist, and is associated with IREMAM’s research (UMR 6568, Aix-en-Provence). She has been interested in the manufacturing, usage, acquisition and transporting of Tuareg objects on the western fringes of the Tuareg world (Mali) |