Abstract
Starting from the ḫaldunian paradigm of the opposition 'umrān badawī / 'umrān ḥaḍarī, nomadic culture / sedentary culture, this presentation will focus on highlighting the central role of agnatic solidarity ('aṣabiyya) within the dominant community of the Western Sahara, namely Moorish society(əl-bīẓān), both structured into "tribes" (qabā'il, sg. qabīla) and "emirates" (imārāt, sg. imāra) with controversial "state" status; and in status groups with fairly rigid contours, sometimes evoking a caste system. The decisive influence of a Malikite, aš'arite, then confraternity Islam (from the 18th century onwards) fueled internal reform movements (Almoravides, Nāṣir al-Dīn...), and/or mobilizations targeting colonial enterprises (French, Spanish). This presentation will conclude with the near-end of nomadism and some of its consequences in new urban spaces, particularly in Mauritania.
