| 
Chinguetti was founded to serve
the caravans crossing the Sahara and became a
focal point of Islamic culture.
The first houses in Chinguetti were built at the
end of the 13th century. Stone and brown dried-mud
(banco) were used. Palm-tree trunks and branches
were used for roofing.
The place which used to have 20,000 inhabitants
only has over 1,500 nowadays. who make a living
out of tourism and deep wells (for agricultural
purpose).
Typically, houses with patios crowd along narrow
streets around a mosque with a square minaret.
They illustrate a traditional way of life centred
on the nomadic culture of the people of the western
Sahara.
Chinguetti once was really venerated as one of
the most holy cities in Islam (ranked, even today,
as number 7).
Sleeping and eating is not easy in Chinguetti.
Rooms are to be found, but there are not many
of them, and the choice range is limited. Tent
is not a bad idea, but beware where you put it,
dunes are moving ...
When it comes to eating, some families hospitality
could be your best bet. But an extreme lack of
diversity in raw materials around here makes even
a feast ordinary. But, who would travel all this
way and expect four course meals? Land
Rover connections with Atar, 1 hour, US$5 one
way. Connections to the even more remote Ouadane,
are difficult and expensive, and have to be arranged
in Chinguetti.
Retour |
