Studying abroad can be a life-changing experience and, should you choose Mauritania , our RocApply tips and guides will enhance what will already be a wonderful trip. Mauritanian culture is one of the most distinct and unique in Africa. The Moorish society is proud of its nomadic past and its Arab and Muslim heritage and boasts of its appellation ‘the land of a thousand poets’ within the Arab world. The composition and recitation of poetry, both in classical forms and in the Ḥassaniyyah dialect, have traditionally been among the distinguishing marks of high culture in Saharan desert society which is the primary make of Mauritania.
About Languages
- Hassaniya is a mixture of Arabic and Berber and is the language of the white Maurs and the Haratin.
- Pulaar is spoken on the Atlantic coast and across the sahel-savannah zone in Mauritania. Soninke is spoken on the borders with Mali and Senegal.
- Wolof is widely spoken. Bambara is spoken in the southeast.
Health and Myth
- People in Mauritania believe that disease is caused by destiny, bad magic, or breaking taboos and seek help from traditional and Islamic healers who combine modern medicine with traditional methods.
- Only a very few people have access to medical care, which is concentrated in the urban centers.
- The rudimentary public health care has crumbled, and the rich have set up private health units and pharmacies.
About Society
- The upper castes give, and the lower castes serve and obey. Mauritanian women don’t shake hands with foreign men, and people do not eat in front of their in-laws or address older persons by name.
- In Mauritania poeople stare at passing strangers and greet each other with a handshake and ask about a person's health and wealth.
- People stand very close to each more so when they are coversing!
Etiquette in Mauritania
Hospitality has a long history of tradition in Mauritania where the guests are treated with deep courtesy and given best possible treatment from the host. Being proud of this tradition we recommend you to follow some rules that follow:
- Greetings: Handshakes are the common way to greet others in both formal and personal settings, but the handshake is tough to master; after the shake, the middle finger clicks against the other person's, creating a snapping sound.
- Dress: Dress conservatively and neatly as often as possible, especially if get invited into someone's home.
- Gifts: It is normal for locals to ask foreigners for money, and acceptable to give it even so. Each individual needs to decide if they will do so or not.
" Its a place to be" - Martin from Canada
