The nomadic tradition
Although nomads now represent only a tiny fraction of the Mauritanian population (about 1.9 percent), most of whom live in the Adrar region, this way of life remains rooted in their tradition: it is not uncommon to discover a khaima in the city (in Nouakchott), set up in the garden of a house. It is also common for Mauritanian city dwellers to hear them say that they are "going to the bush" for the weekend or vacations, which means joining their khaima on the roads leading to Rosso or Boutilimit, to recharge their batteries and connect to this nomadic spirit.
Khaimas are Moorish tents used by nomads during the transhumance of their herds. Originally made of black sheep's wool and camel hair, they are now made of white cotton, which makes them less waterproof. They can reach 50m2 of surface! Mats cover the ground, on which mattresses and cushions are placed, and Mauritanians lie on them, sheltered from the heat and wind.
Highest divorce rate in the Arab world
Although it is not easy to find precise statistics in Mauritania, especially on this surprising subject, the divorce rate is said to exceed 40% in this conservative country. The Islamic Republic of Mauritania has many prohibitions (forbidden alcohol consumption, death penalty for offence to religion), however divorce is well tolerated, even when a person has recourse to it several times! It is mostly marriages between Moors, not African-Mauritanians. Several reasons are given: forced, arranged marriages remain in rural areas, bringing young girls (as young as 12) to the altar, who emancipate themselves after a while. The rapidity of the unions is also explained by one of the prohibitions imposed by the Islamic religion: sexual relations are indeed prohibited outside of an official commitment, which pushes some couples to rush. Although love marriages are still not the majority in the country (73% of Mauritanian women would not have chosen their husband, the latter often being a close member of their family), they are more easily undone than in France: to get divorced, saying one sentence is enough, which also explains the high rate of marital disunion! Another factor is also mentioned: polygamy, which is not well accepted by Moorish women. In Mauritania, it is not uncommon to attend a divorce party, with a lot of female traditions (henna, hairstyle, make-up).
The condition of women
Although women represent a quarter of the members of the National Assembly in Mauritania, a third of them marry before the age of 18, and only a minority have access to secondary school or university.
From the age of 3, it is the beginning of the ordeal for some of them: they have to ingest very large quantities of fats of all kinds, gaining up to 20 kilos in 2 months, at a rate of 10 daily meals! This custom, called force-feeding, is certainly less and less widespread, but it struggles to disappear in rural areas, female obesity being both a criterion of beauty and a sign of wealth. At the same time, UNICEF estimates that more than 65% of Mauritanian women have been excised... Although there is no law against this cruelty, the government is fighting against it, as well as religion: in 2010, a fatwa was issued by Mauritanian ulemas (doctors of Muslim law, acting as jurists and theologians), to condemn female circumcision.
More and more young Mauritanian girls are gathering and proclaiming themselves feminists, criticizing without filter the mores of their society, inspired by Aissata Kane. Indeed, the first female minister in Mauritania fought against polygamy and encouraged the schooling of girls until the 1978 coup d'état. Today, she is still involved in civil society, seeking to block or push back the threats to women (slavery, violence, mutilation, etc.).
Family, health, employment
According to the World Bank, in 2016 the unemployment rate among Mauritanian youth was 19%, compared to 12% for the national average. And Mauritania's population is young: 40% of the population is under 15 years old! While waiting to find a job, the daily life of these young people escapes to the corner café, their noses behind their screens, dreaming of another life. In Mauritania, the family unit is the only thing that matters. Children who have grown up or emigrated are expected to provide for the needs of their elders, who are poor or too old to work...
As in all emerging countries, access to health, social protection and retirement is reserved for an elite. This reinforces the cult of tradition, particularly in southern Mauritania: medicinal plants are known, identified and used to treat small and large ailments, this knowledge being passed down from generation to generation, without being lost for the moment. Money is sent to the most needy members, and families often live under the same roof, from grandchildren to grandparents, if not more.
On the other hand, Mauritania is lagging behind in the area of disability and related rights, although it has recently made a commitment: First Lady Mariem Mohamed Fadel Dah is working to develop a foundation dedicated to the specialized treatment of autistic children, and this is a first! In the capital, there are some social initiatives: young people are mobilizing and collecting funds for their associations (taking care of abandoned children, helping the needy...), but this sector remains to be developed.
Petanque, national sport
Certainly, for the first time the "Murabitouns" participated in the finals of the African Cup of Nations in 2019 ... But did you know that Mauritania has already won the bronze medal in the world championships of petanque! In July 2022, the first edition of the Al-Tawari International Petanque Championship, organized in cooperation with the Mauritanian Petanque Federation, was held in Nouakchott, with the participation of 127 teams in the professional category and 68 teams at the level of adults over 50 years. Morocco, Senegal, France and Spain participated in this event, alongside Mauritanian athletes.
