Ikelan

The Ikelan (éklan/Ikelan or Ibenheren in Tamasheq, Bouzou in Hausa, Bella in Songhai) and singular Akli are a caste within the Tuareg people who were at one time slaves or servile communities. While speaking the same language and sharing most of the same culture with broader Tuareg culture, the Ikelan often live in communities separated from other castes and elasticities, and have distinct cultural traits.