These images from the 1800s are of The Ouled Naïl (pronounced willed nah-eel), a tribe from the Atlas Mountains of Algeria. In the tribe it’s the women that have the power, they make their own money, marry people of their choice and own their land.

Among the most visible and celebrated of their customs was the seasonal migration of young women, known as Nailiyat, to cities and oasis towns, where they performed as dancers and entertainers.

What made these women unique wasn’t just their artistry, but their independence. Unlike many neighbouring tribes, the Nailiyat chose this path not out of necessity, but out of pride. It was a respected tradition, passed down from mothers and grandmothers, that enabled women to earn, live communally, and return home with wealth and experience.

[The images of this tribe afe facinating](https://www.utterlyinteresting.com/post/the-women-of-the-ouled-na%C3%AFl-tribe-in-algeria)