This article lists the practices listed in UNESCO intangible cultural heritage in Mauritania.
Understand
The country has two practices listed on the "representative list of intangible cultural heritage "Of UNESCO and a practice taken up in the"register of best practices for safeguarding culture ».
No additional practice is repeated on the "emergency backup list ».
Lists
Representative list
| Convenient | Year | Domain | Description | Drawing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knowledge, know-how, traditions and practices associated with the date palm | 2019 | * Performing Arts * knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe * social practices, rituals and festive events * know-how related to traditional craftsmanship * oral traditions and expressions | The date palm has been associated with the population of the submitting States for centuries, as an essential material for several forms of craftsmanship, several trades and several traditions, customs and socio-cultural practices, but also as an important source of food. The date palm is an evergreen plant typical of dry regions because its roots can penetrate deeply into the soil to absorb moisture. Element bearers and practitioners include owners of date palm plantations; farmers who plant, maintain and irrigate trees; artisans who make traditional products using the different parts of the palm tree; date vendors; and creators and artists who recite folk tales and poems. The knowledge, skills, traditions and practices associated with the date palm have played an essential role in strengthening the links between the inhabitants of the Arab countries concerned and their lands, as this tree has helped them to overcome the difficulties specific to a desert environment. . The region's historical relationship with the element has given rise to a rich cultural heritage bringing together the practices, knowledge and skills still employed today. The development of the element over the centuries and its cultural relevance explain the extent to which local communities are committed to its preservation. To do this, they participate in multiple actions involving the date palm, organize many festive rituals and perpetuate the traditions and customs linked to the element. |  |
| Knowledge, know-how and practices related to the production and consumption of couscous | 2020 | * Knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe * Social practices, rituals and festive events * Know-how related to traditional craftsmanship * Oral traditions and expressions | The knowledge, know-how and practices related to the production and consumption of couscous include the method of preparation, the conditions and tools necessary for the production, the associated artefacts and the circumstances of the consumption of couscous within the communities concerned. The preparation of couscous is a ceremonial process involving different operations. It all starts with cereal growing, the molding of the seeds to obtain a semolina which will be rolled and then cooked after having been steamed. These practices are associated with a set of exclusive tools, instruments and utensils. This dish is accompanied by various vegetable additives and different meats depending on the territory, the season and the circumstances. Nowadays, as in the past, the methods of preparing couscous constitute a sum of knowledge and skills that are transmitted in a non-formal way through observation and reproduction. For the manufacture of utensils, those in clay are made by potters and those in wood are produced by cooperatives or artisanal factories, often family-owned. For several decades, formal transmission has developed beyond the family circle and the home. The non-culinary aspects of the element, namely the rites, oral expressions and certain social practices, are also transmitted by the bearers. Couscous is a dish that has a repertoire of symbols, meanings, social and cultural dimensions all linked to solidarity, conviviality, sharing and living together. |  |
Register of Best Safeguarding Practices
| Convenient | Year | Domain | Description | Drawing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Moorish epic T’heydinne | 2011 | * oral traditions and expressions * Performing Arts | The epic T'heydinne consists of dozens of poems celebrating the glorious exploits of Moorish emirs and sultans. It highlights the ancestral values that underlie the way of life of the Moorish community of Mauritania and represents a literary and artistic manifestation of the Hasaniya language. The griots perform the epic accompanied by traditional stringed instruments such as the lute and harp, as well as by timpani. Griots preserve the collective memory of society through poetry, passing on knowledge and skills from father to son, with young griots first learning to play these instruments before being introduced to the poetic tradition. The epic T’heydinne constitutes a permanent link between the performers and their tribe, each family of griots having a particular repertoire that distinguishes it from the others. The epic is recited at social events such as weddings, reconciliation ceremonies and invitations. These shows are the occasion for regional or family tribal meetings that strengthen social ties and encourage a culture of social peace and mutual aid. The interpretation of the Theydinn epic, however, is declining. The griots who know her perfectly are few in number and mostly old. In addition, the demand for such shows has diminished and young griots tend to opt for a shortened form of the epic, of which they sometimes only know certain episodes. All of these factors threaten the viability of the T'heydin epic. |  |
Emergency backup list
Mauritania has no practice on the emergency safeguard list.
