History of the country and Gastronomy:

Karim Flores 2°B

Mauritania, officially called the Islamic Republic of Mauritania - derived from the
former Berber kingdom, located between Morocco and Algeria - is a country
located in northwest Africa that borders the Atlantic Ocean and Senegal, Algeria,
Mali and the territory of Western Sahara. Located to the north of the Atlas mountain
range, geographically it is a very rich land and some of its coastal areas are very
rich for fishing.

Of all its territory, 90 percent is located in the Sahara and most of its population of
4.4 million inhabits the temperate south of the country, with approximately one third
concentrated in the capital and largest city, Nouakchott, located on the coast of the
Atlantic Ocean.

Mauritania was part of the French colony of West Africa until 1960, and is
influenced by both Arab and African culture. Currently, Mauritania is a member of
the Arab League and the Arabic language is the only official language, although a
large part of the population speaks French.

In 1955, when Mauritania was still a French colony, Morocco claimed it as part of
Greater Morocco, going so far as to raise its claim at the United Nations and it was
not until 1970 that Morocco recognized the country's independence.

The date that marked the definitive independence on the calendar was November
28, 1960, naming Nouakchott as the capital on the site where a small colonial
village, the Ksar, was located, when 90 percent of the population was still nomadic.

Mauritanian cuisine is based on fresh and natural ingredients, especially lamb,

goat and rice. Often, meals are served on large plates that are shared among all
diners and eaten with their hands. Among the typical dishes, couscous, chicken,
lamb and dromedary tayines should be highlighted. In the coastal area, fish and
seafood are consumed, with which dishes such as tiabuyene, a kind of rice with
fish and vegetables are made.

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As for the typical drink, we find mint tea, date liquor and curdled milk.

Conclusion:

Thanks to this project we have been able to learn about a new culture that is not so
common to listen to, as well as the fact that we research on a not so common
country and expands our vision of the world, culture and history. We also see that
this country has a mixed culture, since it not only has the customs or things of its
culture derived from a single country, but it has also been influenced by different
countries which I feel gave it a broader view of its culture in this country, even
giving it a touch of the people of the region. I must say that it was a little hard to
look for information since as I mentioned earlier this is not a country that is talked
about a lot, but in the end we managed to get information, through the internet and
books. I would also like to add that this work helped us to improve our capabilities
as teams and team organization, since having to organize ourselves to do this
work helped us to improve communication and also creativity to be able to create
the presentation of the project stand. In conclusion, it was interesting to know a
country different from the ordinary and to have learned through this project while
letting out our creativity and also expand our vision not only of our country but also
of other countries while practicing the English language in the project.

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Culture of the country:
Alma Marcos 2°B

It's important to note that Mauritanian culture is not homogeneous, so practices and
customs can vary within different regions and ethnic groups like the Moors, Soninke,
Wolof, Fulani, and others.

Talking about religion Islam plays a significant role in the Mauritanian society, Islamic
values, traditions, and rituals permeate many aspects of daily life and influence
social norms and customs. Mauritanians celebrate various festivals and religious
holidays such as Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. The Nouakchott International Festival
showcases Mauritanian music, dance, and traditional arts, attracting participants
from around the region. Other celebrations are the National Day, November 28, and
Constitution Day, July 12. Some of the westernized elites celebrate Christmas and
the New Year. Farmers celebrate the harvest and get married (these are usually
arranged). The scattered families of herdsmen come together and celebrate the
rainy season with sumptuous meals. The returns of relatives from abroad are
celebrated. Mauritanians play a game named “anigur” that takes part in the
celebrations , it simulates a duel of swords, but using sticks. There are no victims
and the game ends without winners or losers and its simple objective is to entertain.

They also place great importance on hospitality and respect for elders. Traditional
greetings involve shaking hands and inquiring about the well-being of the other
person's family. It is also customary to remove your shoes before entering someone's
home and accepting tea or food when offered.

changing the subject to their clothing, daily life in the desert needs adaptation due to
the abuse of the skin, so to protect themselves from those skin problems,
Mauritanians have wear a saroual, boubou and turban. Ideal lighting against sun and
winds. Women commonly wear colorful dresses known as "melhfas" and cover their
heads with veils.

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Conclusion:

Alma Marcos 2°B

At the time of doing this research work together with my colleagues we learned more
about this culture of which we did not know much about it, it was somewhat easy to
find information about this country of which I honestly knew nothing, and honestly I
didn’t knew what to expect from it.

It is important to remark that carrying out this project is of great interest to us, I can
speak in a personal capacity that it is very important to learn about the culture and
traditions of other nations, since it is essential to have this knowledge in these
modern times due to the great amount of influence that the new current of
globalization exerts on us, in the same way if one day we meet someone from
another nation on the other side of the world, it is possible that the conversation will
be very interesting or just to have the knowledge, because knowledge is power .

Returning to the same idea, I can mention different elements that interested me
about the culture of this nation, it is like music, celebrations and some of the games,
dances are a large part of its essence, an essence that has a lot of variety and
diversity thanks to the diverse cultures that are inhabitants of this country.

With this we can conclude that it can be important and interesting to learn about
other countries and their history, culture and traditions, and how they have preserved
over time, and it also is knowledge that is worth having.

Even though I think it is an interesting country with their traditions and I honestly
wouldn’t like to live there , maybe I would be up for visiting or something like that

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Music of the country:
Diego Ramirez 2°C

The music of Mauritania is rich and diverse, reflecting the cultural heritage of the
country’s ethnic groups, it comes predominantly from the country's largest ethnic
group: the Moors. In Moorish society musicians occupy the lowest caste, iggawin.

Types of Mauritanian music

− Al-bayda- associated with delicate and refined music, and the Bidan
− Al-kahla - associated with roots and masculine music, and the Haratin
− I'-gnaydiya - the mixed or "spotted" way.

Instruments:

Traditional instruments include an hourglass-shaped four-stringed lute called the

tidinit and the woman's kora-like ardin. Percussion instruments include the tbal (a
kettle drum) and daghumma (a rattle).

It is worth noting that music in Mauritania is not limited to professional musicians and
performances. Music is an integral part of daily life and celebrations, with
spontaneous gatherings and informal performances in homes, markets, and social
gatherings across the country.

Conclusion:
Working on a cultural research project on Mauritania has been an enriching and eye-
opening experience. Throughout this endeavor, I have gained a deep understanding
of the vibrant cultural heritage and diverse traditions that shape this fascinating
country.

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During the research process, I delved into various aspects of Mauritanian culture,
including its history, language, music, cuisine, and traditional practices. The
abundance of information and the depth of cultural significance amazed me, as I
discovered the rich tapestry woven by different ethnic groups and their contributions
to Mauritania's cultural mosaic.

One of the most rewarding aspects of this project was the opportunity to interact with
Mauritanians and learn from their perspectives. Engaging in conversations and
interviews with locals provided invaluable insights into their daily lives, beliefs, and
values. Their warm hospitality and willingness to share their stories allowed me to
grasp the essence of Mauritanian culture on a deeper level.

Additionally, conducting research on Mauritania enabled me to appreciate the

country's unique geographical features and natural beauty. From the vast expanse
of the Sahara Desert to the scenic coastal regions, Mauritania offers a breathtaking
landscape that mirrors the diversity and resilience of its people.

However, this research also shed light on the challenges faced by Mauritania in
preserving its cultural heritage. Rapid modernization, globalization, and external
influences pose threats to traditional practices and indigenous knowledge. It is
crucial to promote cultural preservation efforts and empower local communities to
safeguard their customs and traditions for future generations.

Working on a cultural research project focused on Mauritania has been an

illuminating journey. It has deepened my appreciation for the country's rich cultural
tapestry, exposed me to new perspectives, and highlighted the importance of cultural
preservation. This experience has not only broadened my knowledge but has also
sparked a desire to continue exploring and celebrating the diverse cultural heritage
of our world.

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Fun Facts :
Rafael Eslava 2°B

• Mauritania is one of the poorest countries in where their life expectancy is of

60-63 years.

• Everyone in Mauritania believe in muslism, their constitution establishes that

a requirement to access to citizenship of the country is being a Muslim.

• Mauritania is the last country to abolish slavery. The country passed a law in
1981 but it only became punishable as a criminal act in 2007.

• Mauritania is a desert nation and 2/3 of the country is covered by the

Sahara desert!

• There is a huge eye in the Mauritanian desert which is visible from space.

• The country majorly being a desert does not have a lot of vegetation cover
so that means that vegetables and plants are more difficult to harvest than
in other countries

• There are two species of gerbils and six species of scorpions that are
endemic to Mauritania in which some of them are considered part in the list
most venomous scorpions.

• Mauritania is one of the poorest countries in the world, with 40% of its
population below poverty line. This is part of the effect of the climatic and
geographic conditions, but also because of the bad government.

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Conclusion:
I honestly did not know anything about the existence of Mauritania and much less
knew about the great secrets and interesting things it has, so I can conclude that I
personally learned a lot since I learned about this country and about their customs,
tastes, religion, etc.. Finding data and information about this place was not
complicated at all, for example I did the part of the interesting facts which I did not
know anything about this country, I honestly had no idea of what I would find, the
one I remember the most and the one that left me more shocked was that from space
you can see a large part of the desert eye so this speaks of its magnitude is very
large, and I thought that this country had a lot of vegetation and no desert and it
turned out to be the opposite of that. This project was not complicated to work on
since it did not require many skills but honestly it was not my favorite because since
I was in elementary school there was this event called "International Week" which
stressed me a lot since elementary school because I have never liked to explain
about a theme to a lot of people seeing me and when I got to high school I thought I
would not run into this activity again but to my surprise it was not so and I had to do
this activity, but other than that it was really good. Getting to know countries that we
don't know is something that we should do more often, because we can always learn
more about these places since we can gain a little bit of general culture and maybe
even share what we have learned with other people, even if we don't want to visit
them, for example in my case in Mauritania I really don't want to go or visit it or
anything because I feel that it would not be a very pleasant place for me because it
is very hot and I am not a fan of heat, but if there was a beach that looks nice and
there are no stingrays everywhere or species that can kill me or at least ruin my
vacations and take me to a trip to the hospital, if there’s none of these options
probably I would like to visit a beach.

I would also like to thank my team because together we were able to work in a very
good way since there was communication at all times, so reaching an agreement
was not difficult at all, and also to thank the teacher because he gave us enough
motivation and accompanied us throughout the process to achieve the final result.