The old movie "Caravan" from 50 years ago gave me my first insight into the life of the legendary Gypsy people. Since then, I have been charging the group of women in the Eastern world who can sing and dance

The old movie "Caravan" from 50 years ago gave me my first insight into the life of the legendary Gypsy people. Since then, I have been full of interest in the female groups in the Eastern world who can sing and dance. Recently, however, I learned that the story of the caravan is not unique to the East. There is also such a group of people in the distant African land, which can be called "The Gypsies of Africa".

Ouled Nail is one of the largest Berber tribes in Algeria and claims to be descended from the ancient Arabs. Although they live in a semi-nomadic ethnic group, most women are trained in the art of dance and song from an early age. To survive, they often left their homes as entertainers to settle in nearby desert towns, and were known for their elaborate costumes, jewelry and belly dancing.

In a foreign country, their main business is to entertain men and to be able to choose who is her "partner". However, they neither take the initiative to ask for nor set fees, but rely on "tips" such as "rockets and flowers". When they have saved enough money, most people will choose to return to their hometowns.

Although their jobs were not related to the sex trade, they were forced to serve the French army and tourism after being occupied by france, and portrayed them as dancers and prostitutes accompanying caravans.

Figure 1 Gypsy dancer

Fig. 4 Ouled Nail's unique accessory, the fibula