However, shortly before 1700, the Air region was again conquered this time by the Hausa. The Air Tuareg are primarily nomadic shepherds, who move their livestock from one grazing ground to another with the changing of seasons. Many are also farmers. Their staple crops are grain, dates, and sorghum. They also grow a little wheat and some vegetables.
Milk products are an important part of their diet.
Although most of the Air Tuareg live in nomadic camps, there are a number of permanent villages as well. The village houses are usually rectangular in shape and are built with flat roofs and stone walls. The nomads live in portable, rectangular tents with walls made of tanned hides. The Tuareg have a highly complex social structure. In the past, each of the noble tribes and their servants formed a political unit under a chief whose authority was symbolized by a drum.