Etnias, tribus y cofradías. La sociedad mauritana en su interacción con el Estado

Résumé

Mauritanian society has a very complex identity system. This society is being affected by a division between Arab-Berbers, Beydan, and Black Africans, Sudan. However, a large proportion of these Arab-Berbers are arabized black people. This is particularly the case with respect to Harratins, who are descendants of slaves. Alongside this racial division there is also another tribal division which is affecting Beydan population. Moreover, the different Beydan tribes were traditionally divided into warriors, hassan, marabouts, zwaya and tributaries, znaga. There was also several professional castes such as the craftsmen and the jongleurs or griots. All these identity divisions have undergone profound changes as a consequence of the modernization undertaken by French colonialism. Despite that, they continue to be highly influential nowadays