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WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
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Mauritania
Index
Of the five major black African ethnic groups in Mauritania,
the largest is the Toucouleur, an offshoot of the Fulbe. The
Fulbe are the second largest black African group in the country.
Other significant black African groups include the Soninké,
Wolof, and Bambara. Small groups of other ethnic Africans also
live in the far south of Mauritania.
Like Maures, most Fulbe are nomadic. Most other African
groups practice sedentary agriculture in the Senegal River
Valley. Almost all have kin in Senegal or Mali. They speak
Fulfulde or West Atlantic languages within the Niger-Congo
language family.
Black African society, like Maure society, is highly
stratified. The overall system of social stratification is nearly
identical for all black groups. Three classes predominate:
nobles, endogamous castes, and a servile class. Further social
distinctions are recognized on the basis of livelihood, prestige,
and power. Castes of skilled craftsmen are organized on the same
occupational basis as among the Maures. Slaves and former slaves
compose the servile group, but as within Maure society, they are
accepted as part of a family and enjoy relatively humane
treatment.
Data as of June 1988
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