Amenokal (Tuareg paramount chief)

Amenokal is the current spelling of the Berber amanukal, meaning "any political leader not subordinate to anyone else". It is applied to foreign rulers, high-ranking European leaders and the male members of certain noble families. ¹

In some regions of the Sahara the title is given to the chiefs of small tribal groups, but in the Ahaggar it is conferred only on the overlord of a confederation of noble or subject tribes. He must be chosen from the Ahaggar nobles, and his nomination is submitted to an assembly of the nobles and the chiefs of the subject tribes. Succession followed rules derived from a matriarchal regime, passing to the eldest brother of the previous amenokal, to the eldest son of his maternal aunt or to the eldest son of his eldest sister, though the rules were not always observed. ¹

His sign of rank is a drum, and he receives tribute from the subject tribal groups. His principal role was war leader, but in normal times he settles disputes and deals with the criminal law and relations with neighbouring tribes. He is always assisted by an assembly of notables, which ratifies his decisions and can dismiss him. ¹