CULTURE
LANGUAGE
Arabic is the official language, but French is still spoken in all government sectors and is widely used in business. The everyday language of the Moor majority is a Berber-Arabic dialect called Hassaniya. In the south other languages are spoken, including Fula, Wolof and Soninké. In addition to these languages, our guides also speak English and Italian (if you need a guide who speaks Italian, ask for it well in advance).
Mauritanian people
POPULATION
As of 2021, Mauritania has a population of approximately 4.3 million. The local population is composed of three main ethnicities: Bidhan or white Moors, Haratin or black Moors, and West Africans, mostly Black Sub-Saharans. Local statistics bureau estimations indicate that the Bidhan represent around 30% of citizens. They speak Hassaniya Arabic and are primarily of Arab-Berber origin. The Haratin constitute roughly 34% of the population, with many estimates putting them at around 40%. They are descendants of the original inhabitants of the Tassili n'Ajjer and Acacus Mountain sites during the Epipalaeolithic era. The remaining 30% of the population largely consists of various ethnic groups of West African descent. Among these are the Niger-Congo-speaking Halpulaar (Fulbe), Soninke, Bambara and Wolof.
ARTS AND CRAFTS
Mauritania has a strong tradition of arts and craftwork, especially silverwork. Most prized are wooden chests with silver inlay, but there are also silver daggers, silver and amber jewellery, earth-tone rugs of camel and goat hair from Boutilimit, hand-painted Kiffa beads, hand-dyes leatherwork including colourful cushion and leather pipe pouches, camel saddles and sandals.
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The traditional music of Mauritania is mostly Arabic in origin, although along its southern border there are influences from the Wolof, Tukulor and bambara. One of the most poopular Mauritanian musicians is Malouma. She has modernised the Moorish traditional music, blening it with more contemporary rhytms. She has created what is called the "Saharan blues".
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There is superb traditional architecture in the ancient Saharan towns in the Adrar as well in Oualata. The adobe houses in Oualata are enhanced with elaborated paintings.
Two men wearing "daraa" and "haouli"
TRADITIONAL WEAR
In the arid expanse of Northern Africa, Mauritania showcases a wealth of traditional attire deeply rooted in the nation’s cultural heritage. With a climate characterised by scorching temperatures, the choice of materials for clothing is pivotal. Fabrics tend to be light in texture, a reflection of the environment and climate they’re tailored for.
These lightweight fabrics serve multiple purposes in Mauritania’s challenging climate.
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They facilitate efficient airflow and ventilation, aiding in temperature regulation in the midst of the hot and arid conditions.
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Lighter fabrics offer enhanced comfort, reducing perspiration and discomfort.
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Their light-hue serves a crucial role, helping to protect the bodies of individuals from the harsh sun by deflecting sunlight and mitigating heat absorption.
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They are less restrictive, allowing for greater freedom of movement.
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Daraa
The Daraa, also known as Moorish Boubou, is an elegant flowing piece of clothing worn by men, usually quite plain for eveyday use (mainly blue or white, in the South also black) and with embroidery for special weddings or other special events. It is a long sheet of cotton or synthetic fabric, reaching knee or ankle length. It features two large opened-sleeves at each side that can be rolled up to the shoulders, and with a neck opening. It is worn over loose trousers called saroual (also known as sirwal or sherwal) and a top called tunic.
Haouli
Haouli also known as cheche is a versatile headscarf or turban worn by men. It is worn by skillfully wrapping the piece of the fabric in layers around the head. Haouli is not only worn for cultural or ceremonial purposes, but serves as protection against harsh weather conditions and sandstorms. Its length could be up to 12/15 meters when rolled out.
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Melahfa
This, also called mulfa, is a substantial piece of large fabric worn by women, particularly Moorish women. This is worn by wrapping the loose fabric around the body from head to ankle to conceal the body except the face.
Melhfa embodies cultural identity, modesty, and serves as a form of protection against sunlight and sand.