Soudans

Soudans ( Arabic السودان as-Sudan 'blacks') is the name for black African ethnic groups in Mauritania in a blanket demarcation from the ethnic groups of the Moors with Arab and Berber roots, whichare called Bidhan (“whites”)in the western Sahara. The strict ethnic breakdown according to origin is sometimes difficult in practice and isoverlaidby the typical Mauritanian division of society into social castes .

Distinction

There are five main Black African groups in Mauritania who traditionally predominantly farm and live in villages in the south of the country. The largest ethnic group are the Tukulor , a branch of the Fulbe . Other significant black African groups are Soninké , Wolof , Bambara and Fulbe. Other ethnic minorities also live in the south and in the oases in the rest of the country. Like the Bidhan, the majority of the Fulbe were earlier nomads. Almost all of them have family members in Senegal or Mali. They speak Fulfulde or West Atlantic languages from the Niger-Congo language family .

The black African societies of the Soudans are, like the Moorish Bidhan, strongly stratified. The global system of social stratification is almost identical for all black groups. The three main classes are the nobility, another endogamous class and the vassals (dependents). Other social distinctions are made on the basis of livelihood, prestige, and power. The class of skilled artisans is organized on the same professional basis as the Moors. Slaves (Abid) and former slaves ( Haratins ) form a subject group, but are often accepted as family members and treated accordingly. The descent is patrilinear , but close relationships are also maintained with the mother's family members. The family is the basis of social unity. Few households are polygynous . The social stratification is not very permeable.

Tukulor

Tukulor differ from Fulbe mainly in their way of life and their dialect. The majority of the Tukulor live on both sides of the Senegal River , which forms the border between Mauritania and Senegal. As founders of the ancient kingdom of Takrur , they incorporated some local peoples into their society including Wolof and Soninké. The Tukulor speak Poulaar, the western dialect of the Fulfulde , which contains many loanwords from the neighboring languages and differs from the eastern Fulfulde in pronunciation, vocabulary and syntax . The majority of the Tukulor are sedentary farmers as opposed to the nomadic Fulbe. In addition to the nobility, artisans and the subjugated, Tukulor also know an age-based social group called Fedde . The elderly are called in at social ceremonies to consolidate solidarity and friendship obligations between families.

The Tukulor are Muslims and like the majority of their neighbors, they believe in the blessing power of the Baraka of holy Islamic men. Most of them belong to the Islamic brotherhood of the Tijaniya .

Fulbe

The large ethnic group of the Fulbe is scattered over large areas of the African savannah from Senegal to Sudan . They are all believed to be from Senegal and have slowly emigrated eastwards over the past 800 years. Known by many names, they call themselves Pullo (sing.) Or Fulbe (pl.) In Mauritania. Fulfulde is a subfamily of the Niger-Congo languages. Fulbe are Muslims. The Fulbe are known for their herds of cattle and dairy products. Much of their culture revolves around their pastoral lifestyle. The basic social unit are the core families, which are organized according to descent and clan. The inheritance is patrilinear; the unit of the household is usually the patrilocal extended family. Marriage is legitimized by paying a bride price ; the birth of a child means social prestige.

Soninke

The Soninke in Mauritania are the most westerly branch of the people who live in the Ivory Coast , Mali and Burkina Faso . They farm and trade on the banks of the Senegal River. Their ancestors were the founders of the ancient Kingdom of Ghana. Some Soninke in Mauritania speak Azayr, a Soninke dialect heavily influenced by Berber, while the majority speak the languages of the peoples among whom they live. They are devout Muslims.

The Soninke society is rigid and offers little social mobility. Ancestry, inheritance, and the transfer of kinship and family authority are patrilinear. The payment of a bride price is a well established custom and the folklore and rituals are a part of their life.

Bambara and Wolof

Only a small number of Bambara live in Mauritania, the majority live in Mali. They are believed to come from the founders of the Kingdom of Mali in the 13th century. Their language, Bambara , is closely related to neighboring languages. Many are Muslims; the number of followers varies by group and location. The majority of the Bambara are farmers.

A fairly small number of Wolof live in Mauritania. The majority live in Senegal, where they form the largest ethnic group. The Wolof language includes several dialects and has many words from Arabic and various European languages. Almost all Wolof are Muslims and belong to the Islamic brotherhood. Agriculture and trade form the basis of their lifestyle.