Customs and Culture in the Maghreb - Mauritania Quiz

Answer: Your wife's family

In Mauritania there exists a custom known as 'Sahwa', which means 'shyness'. This custom dates back many centuries and is rigidly adhered to by the older members of society, especially in the more remote rural areas. This custom dictates that a husband is forbidden from speaking or eating in the presence of his wife's relatives. 'Sahwa' also forbids a woman from breast-feeding her children in the presence of her father or older brothers as this is considered to be an expression of sexuality. Wives are not permitted to express feelings for their husbands and are expected to look sullen at all times even during her wedding celebrations. Failure to adhere to the requirements of 'Sahwa' can have serious repercussions, the worst of which in this culture is the castigation of the entire family.

Answer: Sweet green tea flavoured with mint

Yes, as strange as it may seem, slavery is still practiced in Mauritania! The Mauritanians are particularly fond of sweet foods and drinks and also drink sour camel milk and water; a drink known as 'Zrig', hibiscus flower juice and the juice of the fruit of the Baobab tree.

Answer: Only circumcised adult males

At the end of Ramadan and the feast that celebrates the end of the Hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca, the only meat that will be accepted as a sacrifice is lamb; any meat from this animal must be eaten after three days or it will be discarded. It is also customary for an animal to be slaughtered during the celebrations of the giving of a name, a tribal initiation ceremony, marriage and funerals.

Answer: Musicians

Musicians are known as 'Iggawin' and occupy a position within the lowest of the 'non-slave' social castes. In Mauretania the 'Iggawin' are looked upon in a similar way as minstrels were in Europe during the medieval period. They accompanied members of the warrior caste during wars, sang songs, wrote commentary and poems extolling their master's bravery... Thinking 'Brave Sir Robin' may give you an accurate picture of the role that they perform! Even more surprisingly, other occupations that would be found in the lower caste include historians, governmental advisers, poets and playwrights. Those at the very top of the Mauritanian caste system are the religious hierarchy and the warriors, descendants of the 'Moors', the people who occupied the area many centuries ago. Beneath are those skilled artisans such as metalworkers and the other two occupations - weavers and fishermen.

Answer: True

If it can be proved that, as children, a married couple shared milk from the breast of the same woman, they are obliged to divorce each other even if they have had children together. In Mauritania, as in other Islamic countries, their women are not permitted to marry men who are not Muslims, whereas the men are free to marry women from whichever religious background they wish. Divorce in Mauritania is rare but married couples may do so up to three times.

Answer: Right hand only

Meals are usually eaten communally and from a large bowl known as a 'calabash'. Eating with the left hand is forbidden! Among the black African population the main meal is eaten at lunchtime whereas within the Arab and Berber population the main meal is eaten during the evening.

The Mauritanian diet consists chiefly of millet, rice, fish and sweet potatoes with meat being consumed by those who can afford it. Dates are very popular, as is couscous and a baked lamb dish known as 'Mechoui'.

Answer: Forced fattening

To many of Mauritania's poor and uneducated rural people, 'Leblouh' is the only means of ensuring that their daughters gain a husband. In this country, slim women are deemed to be inferior and are considered to bring shame upon their families. Because of this many families practice forced feeding, even going as far as to hire the services of and paying older women who are deemed experts in the fattening process.

It is believed that the practice has its roots in the period when nomadic women were confined to their tents and became fat due to a lack of exercise; this went on over time to become the social and cultural norm that persists to this day. Things however are changing albeit slowly due to campaigns by the Mauritanian health system in highlighting the health problems that arise with the practice of 'Leblouh'.

Answer: False

The importance of the contribution made by women in Mauritanian society is acknowledged, but men dominate in virtually every sphere of Mauritanian life. In the southern part of the country, mainly populated by those of black African ethnicity, women are expected to cook, look after the household and care for the children.

In the Arab and Berber north, women are not expected to work as manual labour is considered degrading... unless you are a female slave of course! Unfortunately however, female circumcision is still routinely practiced as is the custom of the forced 'fattening' of young women in preparation for their marriage, a practice known as 'Leblouh'.

Answer: Become friends

Mauritanian etiquette demands that before you take a picture or have your picture taken with them, that you become friends. This is achieved by standing very close, shaking hands and talking about your health and wealth. Once friendship is achieved the picture can be taken.

A word of warning, however; in some areas this 'friendship' is seen as an excuse to call on you, eat your food and consume your drink! The people naturally stand very close to each other whilst talking, handshakes are always offered to visitors but never by Mauritanian women... Oh yes, never call a person older than yourself by their name.

Answer: Charms, amulets and fetishes

The population of Mauritania are Sunni Muslims but, as an ancient culture, the old African belief systems have proved impossibly difficult to eradicate. Many Mauritanians still believe in the supernatural and believe, as did the ancient European druids, that all things possess a life force.

In some tribal areas traditional 'medicine men' still exist and practice their arts. Burial is the normal means of disposing of the dead in Mauritania and those who die in old age are customarily buried without coffins. Cremation is uncommon and is only used as a means of disposing those who have died from contagious disease. Amongst the nomadic population graves are sites to be avoided and once a person is buried their grave is not visited again. Prior to burial the custom is that the body is washed seven times and then wrapped in white coloured cloth before being buried facing the sacred city of Mecca. Women are not permitted to attend the funeral and the custom is that any guests who have turned their backs and left the graveside will never return.

It is also customary for the belongings of the deceased to be distributed amongst the poor within their community.