MONGABAY.COM
Mongabay.com seeks to raise interest in and appreciation of wild lands and wildlife, while examining the impact of emerging trends in climate, technology, economics, and finance on conservation and development (more)
WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
|
|
Mauritania
Index
The zenaga, now the descendants of tributary vassals
of the nobility, tend to be ethnically and culturally more Berber
than the hassani and zawaya. They, too, are divided
into warrior and religious tribes; but these traditionally were
assistants to the nobles, often as slaves. The zenaga
still work for the nobility, raising their livestock and looking
after their families.
Traditionally, the zenaga paid both individual and
group tribute to their noble patrons. Although the French
colonial administration banned tribute (coutume), in some
areas payment survived as late as the 1960s. Individual tribute
took the form of military or educational services; group tribute
was in the form of goods.
Data as of June 1988
|
|
