Joking relationships are a social practice performed among ethnolinguistic communities groups and individuals to promote fraternity solidarity and conviviality They take the form of a playful taunting between two people from two communities that represent symbolically the husband and wife crosscousin branches of the same family Such relationships are often based on ancestral pacts forbidding conflict or war between specific communities and imply that the members must love one another and provide assistance where needed The members have a duty to tell each other the truth to joke together and to pool their respective assets knowing that any dispute must be settled peacefully Joking relationships are practised in public places in the fields offices market places at water sources and in the home every day as well as on special occasions such as weddings baptisms ceremonies and funerals commercial transactions and cultural and entertainment events The first lunar month is especially devoted to joking relationships along with other associated rituals Transmitted informally from generation to generation joking relationships are a tool for reconciliation and peacebuilding and promote the cohesion and stability of families ethnic groups and communities They foster social equality with regard to both age and hierarchy and promote intergenerational dialogue

Imzad music is a characteristic feature of Tuareg communities and is performed by women on a singlestringed bowed instrument known as the Imzad The musician sits with the instrument on her knees and plays it with a wooden arched bow Imzad combines music and poetry and is frequently performed on ceremonial occasions in Tuareg camps The instrument provides melodic accompaniment to poetic or popular songs glorifying the adventures and feats of past heroes the songs are composed recited or sung by men with both men and women participating by producing modulated or highpitched cries The music also has a therapeutic function being played to drive away evil spirits and alleviate the pain of the sick The sound of the Imzad reflects the players feelings and moods and an inability to master a performance is considered a misfortune Women craft the instrument from half a dried hollowedout gourd a skin is stretched across the open side and pierced with sound holes in the shape of rosettes and a wooden bridge in the shape of a V is then added Imzad musical knowledge is transmitted orally according to traditional methods of observation and assimilation