Culture of Western Sahara: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|none}} <!-- "none" is a legitimate description when the title is already adequate; see [[WP:SDNONE]] --> |
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{{Merge portions from|Western Sahara|date=January 2017}} |
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{{More citations needed|date=November 2023}} |
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| ⚫ | The '''people of Western Sahara''' speak the [[Hassaniya|Ḥassānīya]] [[dialect]] of [[Arabic language|Arabic]], also spoken in northern [[Mauritania]], and [[Spanish language|Spanish]]. They are of mixed Arab |
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The Sahrawis are [[Muslim]]s of the [[Sunni]] [[sect]] and the [[Maliki]] law school. Their interpretation of [[Islam]] has traditionally being quite [[Liberalism|liberal]] and adapted to nomad life (i.e. generally functioning without [[mosque]]s). |
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| ⚫ | The '''people of Western Sahara''' speak the [[Hassaniya|Ḥassānīya]] [[dialect]] of [[Arabic language|Arabic]], also spoken in northern [[Mauritania]], and [[Spanish language|Spanish]]. They are of mixed Arab, African (including [[Berber people|Berber]] descent), many consider themselves to be [[Arab]]. Most claim that they descend from the tribe called [[Beni Hassan]], an [[Arab]] tribe, who immigrated to the Western Saharan desert in the 14th century. The Sahrawis are [[Sunni]] [[Muslim]] and follow the [[Maliki]] law school. Their interpretation of [[Islam]] has traditionally being quite [[Liberalism|liberal]] and adapted to nomad life (i.e. generally functioning without [[mosque]]s). |
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The [[clan]]- and [[tribe]]-based society underwent a massive social upheaval in 1975, when a large portion of the population fled fighting in the country and settled in the [[refugee]] camps of [[Tindouf]], [[Algeria]], breaking up families and clans. The [[Polisario Front]], which runs the camps, has attempted to [[modernization|modernize]] their society, placing a public emphasis on education, the eradication of [[tribalism]] and the [[feminism|emancipation]] of women. The role of women in camps was enhanced by their shouldering of the main responsibility for the camps and government [[bureaucracy]] during the war years, as virtually the entire male population was enrolled in the Polisario army.<ref>{{cite book|title=Taming the Sahara: Tunisia Shows a Way While Others Falter|author=Andrew Borowiec|year= 2003|publisher=Praeger/Greenwood|isbn=0-275-97647-5|page=32}}</ref> |
The [[clan]]- and [[tribe]]-based society underwent a massive social upheaval in 1975, when a large portion of the population fled fighting in the country and settled in the [[refugee]] camps of [[Tindouf]], [[Algeria]], breaking up families and clans. The [[Polisario Front]], which runs the camps, has attempted to [[modernization|modernize]] their society, placing a public emphasis on education, the eradication of [[tribalism]] and the [[feminism|emancipation]] of women. The role of women in camps was enhanced by their shouldering of the main responsibility for the camps and government [[bureaucracy]] during the war years, as virtually the entire male population was enrolled in the Polisario army.<ref>{{cite book|title=Taming the Sahara: Tunisia Shows a Way While Others Falter|author=Andrew Borowiec|year= 2003|publisher=Praeger/Greenwood|isbn=0-275-97647-5|page=32}}</ref> |
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Education was also assisted by refugee life. While teaching materials are still scarce, the "[[urbanization]]" of the refugee camps and the abundance of free time for camp dwellers (after the situation normalized circa 1977) greatly increased the effectiveness of [[literacy]] classes. The Polisario Front claims presently that nearly 90% of refugees are literate, the number having been less than 10% in 1975, and several thousands have received [[university]] education in foreign countries as part of aid packages (mainly Algeria, [[Cuba]], and [[Spain]]). |
Education was also assisted by refugee life. While teaching materials are still scarce, the "[[urbanization]]" of the refugee camps and the abundance of free time for camp dwellers (after the situation normalized circa 1977) greatly increased the effectiveness of [[literacy]] classes. The Polisario Front claims presently that nearly 90% of refugees are literate, the number having been less than 10% in 1975, and several thousands have received [[university]] education in foreign countries as part of aid packages (mainly Algeria, [[Cuba]], and [[Spain]]). |
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The [[Morocco|Moroccan]] government considerably invested in the social and economic development of Western Sahara with special emphasis on education, modernisation and infrastructure. [[El Aaiún]] in particular has been the target of heavy government investment, and has grown rapidly. Several thousands Sahrawis study in Moroccan universities. Literacy rates are estimated at some 50% of the population. |
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To date, there have been few thorough studies of the culture due in part to the political situation. Some language and culture studies, mainly by [[France|French]] researchers, have been performed on Sahrawi communities in northern Mauritania. |
To date, there have been few thorough studies of the culture due in part to the political situation. Some language and culture studies, mainly by [[France|French]] researchers, have been performed on Sahrawi communities in northern Mauritania. |
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==Society== |
==Society== |
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===Tribes and clans=== |
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{{empty section|date=January 2017}} |
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===Gender relations=== |
===Gender relations=== |
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In [[Sahrawi people|Sahrawi]] ethnic groups, the concept of beauty is embodied through the practice of fattening. Before marriage, girls intentionally overeat and perform limited physical activity for 40 days in order to be attractive for their soon-to-be husbands. Women will repeat this process if they want to gain weight after marriage. It is believed that traditional clothing of these ethnic groups require a heavier body in order to be attractive.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Rguibi|first1=R|last2=Belahsen|first2=M|title=Fattening Practices Among Moroccan Saharawi Women.|date=2006}}</ref> |
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{{empty section|date=January 2017}} |
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==Arts== |
==Arts== |
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===Film=== |
===Film=== |
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{{Seealso|Sahara Film Festival}} |
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{{empty section|date=January 2017}} |
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===Music=== |
===Music=== |
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{{main|Music of Western Sahara}} |
{{main|Music of Western Sahara}} |
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==Dress== |
==Dress== |
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Clothing worn by the Sahrawis include the [[Daraa (robe)| |
Clothing worn by the Sahrawis include the [[Daraa (robe)|daraa]] robe. Women wear the [[melhfa]] headscarf.<ref>National Geographic Magazine, december 2008</ref><ref>[http://w-sahara.blogspot.com/2007_12_01_archive.html Mentioning of Daraa robe]</ref> |
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sup |
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==Cuisine== |
==Cuisine== |
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{{main|Western Saharan cuisine}} |
{{main|Western Saharan cuisine}} |
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<gallery mode="packed" caption="Daily bread ritual"> |
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Saharawi bread ritual 01.jpg |
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Saharawi bread ritual 02.jpg |
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Saharawi bread ritual 03.jpg |
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Saharawi bread ritual 04.jpg |
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Saharawi bread ritual 06.jpg |
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</gallery> |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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{{Africa in topic|Culture of}} |
{{Africa in topic|Culture of}} |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Culture of Western Sahara| ]] |
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[[Category:Arab culture|Western Sahara]] |
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[[Category:Culture of North Africa|Western Sahara]] |
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Latest revision as of 07:42, 15 November 2024
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (November 2023) |
The people of Western Sahara speak the Ḥassānīya dialect of Arabic, also spoken in northern Mauritania, and Spanish. They are of mixed Arab, African (including Berber descent), many consider themselves to be Arab. Most claim that they descend from the tribe called Beni Hassan, an Arab tribe, who immigrated to the Western Saharan desert in the 14th century. The Sahrawis are Sunni Muslim and follow the Maliki law school. Their interpretation of Islam has traditionally being quite liberal and adapted to nomad life (i.e. generally functioning without mosques).
The clan- and tribe-based society underwent a massive social upheaval in 1975, when a large portion of the population fled fighting in the country and settled in the refugee camps of Tindouf, Algeria, breaking up families and clans. The Polisario Front, which runs the camps, has attempted to modernize their society, placing a public emphasis on education, the eradication of tribalism and the emancipation of women. The role of women in camps was enhanced by their shouldering of the main responsibility for the camps and government bureaucracy during the war years, as virtually the entire male population was enrolled in the Polisario army.[1]
Education was also assisted by refugee life. While teaching materials are still scarce, the "urbanization" of the refugee camps and the abundance of free time for camp dwellers (after the situation normalized circa 1977) greatly increased the effectiveness of literacy classes. The Polisario Front claims presently that nearly 90% of refugees are literate, the number having been less than 10% in 1975, and several thousands have received university education in foreign countries as part of aid packages (mainly Algeria, Cuba, and Spain).
To date, there have been few thorough studies of the culture due in part to the political situation. Some language and culture studies, mainly by French researchers, have been performed on Sahrawi communities in northern Mauritania.
Society
[edit]Gender relations
[edit]In Sahrawi ethnic groups, the concept of beauty is embodied through the practice of fattening. Before marriage, girls intentionally overeat and perform limited physical activity for 40 days in order to be attractive for their soon-to-be husbands. Women will repeat this process if they want to gain weight after marriage. It is believed that traditional clothing of these ethnic groups require a heavier body in order to be attractive.[2]
Arts
[edit]Film
[edit]Music
[edit]Dress
[edit]Clothing worn by the Sahrawis include the daraa robe. Women wear the melhfa headscarf.[3][4]
Cuisine
[edit]- Daily bread ritual
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-
-
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-
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Andrew Borowiec (2003). Taming the Sahara: Tunisia Shows a Way While Others Falter. Praeger/Greenwood. p. 32. ISBN 0-275-97647-5.
- ^ Rguibi, R; Belahsen, M (2006). Fattening Practices Among Moroccan Saharawi Women.
- ^ National Geographic Magazine, december 2008
- ^ Mentioning of Daraa robe
