Shelter takes the form of small lightweight tents of leather or sometimes grass huts. The average size of a tent is about ten feet deep and ten to fifteen feet wide. The average household can pack its goods on the backs of two camels, while a donkey or two may be used to carry the odds and ends. Clothing is loose, voluminous, and light in weight. A Tuareg would also consider himself undressed if he does not carry a knife.
Women go barefaced but with a head kerchief.
There are two main festivals for unmarried young people, and these courtship gatherings are called Tendis and Ahals . Most Tuareg men marry late, as a young Tuareg has to own quite a few camels to help pay the bride price, and he must accumulate a large enough flock to feed his family and have extra to sell to buy his household needs. The usual age for marriage is twenty to twenty-five for women and close to thirty for men. Marriage is usually, though not always, within the clan. Cross-cousin marriage seems to be the preferred pattern, and always involves a bride price, which varies according to the beauty and social standing of the bride and the wealth of the husband.