MATS OF THE WED: As they roam the Bagzan plains with their herds, these shephard girls weave the mats of their future homes, ever preparing themselves for their wedding day. These colorful mats, made of dyed reeds, are used for the roofs and siding of the traditional homesteads of the Touaregs of the Ayr. The mats are the wive’s contribution to their future marriage; the young girl is praised for the beauty of her mats and weaving ability, as it is a sign of her dedication as a future wife and mother.