Tin Hinan

     Tin Hinan is the name given by the Tuareg to a 4th-century woman of prestige whose monumental tomb is located in the Sahara at Abalessa in the Ahaggar region of Algeria. The name means literally "she of the tents", but may be metaphorically translated as "mother of the tribe"... or even "queen of the camp" (the "camp" maybe referring to the group of tombs which surround hers). She is sometimes referred to as "Queen of the Hoggar", and by the Tuareg as tamenoukalt which also means queen.

     This is a woman of legend that we know today through oral Tuareg traditions describing her as "a woman irresistibly beautiful, large, with pretty face, fair complexion,  huge and ardent eyes, all evoking both the beauty and power.