Nouakchott, the capital and largest city of Mauritania, is a vibrant urban center located in the Sahara Desert. It holds significance as both the administrative and economic hub of the country.
Originally a modest village, Nouakchott was chosen as Mauritania’s capital in 1958. Initially designed to accommodate 15,000 people, the city experienced rapid growth in the following decades.
Starting in the 1970s, a significant number of Mauritanians migrated to Nouakchott due to harsh environmental conditions, including drought and desertification, in their home villages.
This influx of people led to the city’s population reaching just under a million by 2013. Unfortunately, many newcomers settled in overcrowded and poorly maintained slum areas. However, there have been recent improvements in the living conditions of some residents.
Nouakchott plays a vital role in Mauritania’s economy. It houses a deepwater port, facilitating trade and commerce, and is served by the Nouakchott–Oumtounsy International Airport, one of the country’s two international airports.
The city is also home to the University of Nouakchott and several specialized institutions of higher education. With its strategic importance and dynamic atmosphere, Nouakchott stands as a key center of activity in Mauritania.
About Mauritania
Mauritania is a country situated on the Atlantic coast of Africa, serving as a link between North Africa’s Maghrib region (including Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia) and the westernmost part of sub-Saharan Africa.
It holds a unique position both geographically and culturally. Culturally, it acts as a transition zone between the Arab-Amazigh (Berber) populations of North Africa and the African communities located south of the Tropic of Cancer, known as the Sudan or “land of the Blacks” in Arabic.
Much of Mauritania’s territory is covered by the expansive Sahara desert, and historically, a significant portion of the population led a nomadic lifestyle until the widespread drought in the 1970s.
The country is rich in mineral resources, including abundant reserves of iron ore, copper, gypsum, and some oil resources, which are currently being tapped into for exploitation.
Mauritania was under French colonial rule during the first half of the 20th century and gained independence on November 28, 1960.
The constitution designates Islam as the official state religion, while ensuring freedom of conscience and religious liberty for all citizens.
Arabic is the official language, and Fula, Soninke, and Wolof are recognized as national languages. The capital city of Mauritania is Nouakchott, located in the southwestern part of the country.
History of Nouakchott
In pre-colonial times and during French rule, Nouakchott was a significant fortified fishing village known as a ksar. As Mauritania prepared for independence, the need for a capital city arose.
The area that is now Nouakchott was chosen by Moktar Ould Daddah, the first President of Mauritania, and his advisors.
They aimed to create a capital that symbolized modernity and national unity, and decided against existing cities or towns in the interior.
Nouakchott was selected as the capital due to its central location between Saint-Louis, Senegal (the city from which the colony of Mauritania was governed), and Nouadhibou.
This choice also helped avoid potential conflicts between the Arab-descended Moors and Black Africans. Construction to expand the village and accommodate a population of 15,000 began in March 1958 and was completed by the time Mauritania gained independence in November 1960.
Originally, Nouakchott was not planned to be a commercial or economic center. The city’s layout included broad streets and a grid-like structure.
However, over time, new areas such as the Cinquième Quartier (Fifth District) emerged as important commercial and residential zones.
In the 1960s, Nouakchott established its own local government, and by the 1970s, these new areas surpassed the old ksar in importance, housing government buildings and state enterprises.
During the Western Sahara conflict, Nouakchott faced attacks from the Polisario Front in 1976, but the damage was minimal.
The city experienced rapid and uncontrolled growth from the 1970s onward, largely driven by the North African drought.
Hundreds of thousands of people migrated to Nouakchott in search of better opportunities. Official censuses in 1977 and 1988 reported a population of 134,000 and 393,325, respectively, although these figures were likely lower than the actual population.
Today, Nouakchott is estimated to be home to at least one-third of Mauritania’s population of 3.2 million, with the 2013 census indicating a population of 958,399.
Nouakchott, located on the Atlantic coast of the Sahara Desert in West Africa, is a city characterized by its unique coastal setting.
Most structures are single-story buildings. The city’s central axis is formed by Avenue Gamal Abdel Nasser, a tree-lined street that stretches northeast from the airport through the city center.
This avenue divides the city into two sections, with residential areas located in the north and the medina quarter and the kebbe (a shanty town formed by displaced desert inhabitants) situated to the south.
Other prominent streets in Nouakchott are named after notable Mauritanian and international figures from the 1960s, such as Avenue Abdel Nasser, Avenue Charles de Gaulle, Avenue Kennedy, and Avenue Lumumba.
The kebbe is composed of cement buildings that are constructed overnight to appear permanent, avoiding demolition by the authorities.
In 1999, it was estimated that over half of the city’s population lived in tents and shacks, serving both residential and commercial purposes.
Nouakchott is divided into nine arrondissements, further subdivided into alphabetized Îlots. These include Teyarett, Ksar, Tevragh Zeïna, Toujournine, Sebkha, El Mina, Dar Naïm, Arafat, and Riad. The Sebkha (Cinquième) Arrondissement is home to a significant shopping area.
Ethnic groups
The majority of Mauritania’s population is composed of Moors, accounting for over two-thirds of the total. Within the Moorish population, around three-fifths have Sudanic African origins and are collectively known as Ḥarāṭīn or “Black Moors.”
The remaining two-fifths identify themselves as Bīḍān or “White Moors,” indicating their Arab and Amazigh (Berber) ancestry.
Both Ḥarāṭīn and Bīḍān speak the same language and were traditionally part of the nomadic economy. However, with the decline of nomadic lifestyles in the 1980s, many Ḥarāṭīn migrated to urban areas, while some Bīḍān remain in their traditional nomadic camps.
It’s important to note that status among these groups is not solely determined by skin color. Rather, it is based on a documented lineage with noble origins.
This means that someone with darker skin may be considered a “white” Moor if their noble lineage is recognized, while some Ḥarāṭīn individuals may pass as Bīḍān if their lineage is unknown.
Approximately one-third of the population is composed of four other main ethnic groups. The Tukulor reside in the Sénégal River valley, while the Fulani are dispersed throughout the southern regions.
The Soninke inhabit the far south, and the Wolof are concentrated near Rosso in the coastal southwestern area of Mauritania.
The Moors, Tukulor, and Soninke share similar social structures, historically organized into a hierarchy of social classes.
At the top of this hierarchy were the nobles, who had dependents and tributaries, and these privileged populations often had servants and slaves to support their lifestyle.
Language
In Mauritania, Arabic is the official language, while Fula, Soninke, and Wolof are recognized as national languages. The Moors primarily speak Ḥassāniyyah Arabic, which is a dialect that combines Arabic grammar with a vocabulary that includes Arabic and Arabized Amazigh words.
Many Ḥassāniyyah speakers are also familiar with colloquial Egyptian and Syrian Arabic due to exposure to television and radio broadcasts from the Middle East.
This has led to a resurgence of Ḥassāniyyah forms in personal names, such as the use of “Ould” or “Wuld” (meaning “Son of”) in male names.
The Tukulor and Fulani communities in the Sénégal River basin speak Fula (Fulfulde or Pular), which belongs to the Atlantic branch of the Niger-Congo language family.
Other ethnic groups, such as the Soninke (Mande branch) and Wolof (Atlantic branch), have maintained their respective languages, also part of the Niger-Congo family.
Since the late 1980s, Arabic has become the primary language of instruction in schools across Mauritania. This transition has gradually diminished the previous advantage held by French-speaking populations in the Sénégal River valley who had received education in French.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Mauritania is a diverse country located at the crossroads of North Africa and sub-Saharan Africa. Its population is comprised of various ethnic groups, with the Moors being the majority.
The official language is Arabic, while Fula, Soninke, and Wolof are recognized as national languages. The linguistic landscape reflects the cultural heritage and historical influences in the region.
Mauritania has seen a shift towards Arabic as the primary language of instruction in schools, marking a change from the previous dominance of French education. This transition reflects the evolving cultural and linguistic dynamics in the country.
With its rich cultural heritage and linguistic diversity, Mauritania continues to forge its national identity, embracing its Arab-Amazigh roots while also acknowledging the African heritage of its southern regions. The coexistence of different languages and cultures contributes to the vibrant tapestry of Mauritanian society.
As Mauritania moves forward, it faces the challenge of preserving its linguistic heritage while promoting multilingualism and ensuring equal opportunities for all its citizens.
Embracing this diversity and fostering inclusivity will be essential for the social cohesion and development of the nation.
Overall, Mauritania stands as a unique blend of cultures and languages, serving as a bridge between North Africa and sub-Saharan Africa, and offering a fascinating mosaic of traditions, identities, and languages that shape its vibrant society.
Source
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nouakchott
