Essouk

Infobox Settlement
name = Essouk
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timezone = GMT
utc_offset = +0
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latd=18 |latm=46 |lats= |latNS=N
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footnotes = Essouk is a commune in Mali's northern Kidal Region. Oral tradition holds that Boctou, foundress of Tomboctou, was originally from Essouk. Essouk is also an important archaeological site, featuring rock carvings more than eight thousand years old.

Essouk prospered between the 9th and 12th centuries as a stopping point for trans-Sahara caravans, and was home to a diverse population of Tuaregs, other Berbers, Moroccans, and various peoples of modern-day Mali and Niger. It is sometimes referred to as the "cradle of Tuareg civilization," and the annual Saharan Nights festival showcases traditional Tuareg music as well as featuring various world music performers.

It is often referred to by 9th century Arabic historians as Tadmakka.

External links

* [http://www.ucl.ac.uk/archaeology/aha/nixon/index.htm A page about excavations at Essouk, mentioning the name Tadmakka]
* [http://www.keltinariwen.org/UK/1-presentation-festival.html Essouk festival]