French visitor passes on environmental ethos to the locals.
For the residents of Maaden, a green oasis nestled in the depths of the vast Mauritanian desert, communal living, spirituality and sustainable agriculture are the keys to a harmonious existence.
In 1975, Sufi spiritual guide Mohammed Lemine Sidina founded a village in this remote spot at the centre of the West African state, naming it Maaden el Ervane, or “the deposit of knowledge” in the local Arabic dialect.
On a patch of fertile land overlooked by a small outcrop, Sidina built a community based on equality, fraternity, tolerance and hard work. More than 20 years after the Sheikh’s death, his legacy lives on.
“Here there is equality. No caste, no race,” said Djibril Niang, 70, who arrived from Senegal 50 years ago and never left. “We are all brothers. If someone needs something, we all work together to help them.”
Niang ended up marrying his spiritual mentor’s daughter – an interracial union “which was unthinkable” at the time, he said.
Denne historien er fra July 12, 2024-utgaven av The Citizen.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra July 12, 2024-utgaven av The Citizen.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Boks chase NZ double
South Africa will be attempting to wrestle back the Freedom Cup for the first time since 2009.
'Pecco' aims to pick himself up again
Francesco Bagnaia (right) has put his horror crash in Aragon behind him as the MotoGP champion attempts to reclaim top spot from Jorge Martin at this weekend's San Marino and Rimini Riviera Grand Prix.
Kruger boosts SA medal count
Junior athlete Simone Kruger gave the national team's medal count a boost by claiming gold in the women's F38 discus throw at the Paralympic Games in Paris last night.
Pegula scripts a dream story
Jessica Pegula scripted an astonishing comeback \"just in the nick of time\" to defeat Karolina Muchova on Thursday at the US Open and reach her first Grand Slam final, where she will take on big-hitting Aryna Sabalenka for the title.
Hunt is very aggravated with PSL's dilly-dallying
SuperSport United head coach Gavin Hunt (below) has weighed in on the unconventional start to the new Premier Soccer League (PSL) season.
US soccer icon hanging up her boots
Los Angeles-US soccer icon Alex Morgan (right), who inspired the Americans to two Women's World Cup football crowns, announced Thursday that she will retire after a final club match tomorrow.
Irish seek huge upset
New Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrimsson is hoping to engineer another huge upset against England today-eight years after his Iceland team shocked the Three Lions at Euro 2016.
Is retiring early an option?
Early retirement can come with several serious risks.
Banking on women
Having an account does not equate to financial autonomy.
Failing matric is not the end of life
In a month's time or so, the matric class of 2024 will sit for their final examinations.
