In the 1980s, two brotherhoods, the Qadiriya and the Tijaniya, accounted
for nearly all the brotherhood membership in Mauritania. The Qadiriya and
Tijaniya were essentially parallel "ways," differing primarily in their
methods of reciting the litanies. Their Islamic doctrines and their religious
obligations were basically similar. Two smaller brotherhoods also existed--
the Chadeliya, centered in Boumdeït in Tagant Region, and the Goudfiya,
found in the regions of Tagant, Adrar, Hodh ech Chargui, and Hodh el Gharbi.
The Qadiriya
The Qadiriya is the largest and most highly organized brotherhood in Mauritania.
Founded in Mesopotamia in the twelfth century by Abd al Kader al Jilani,
it spread to Africa in the fifteenth century. Like all brotherhoods, the
Qadiriya includes some emotional mystical elements, but it also stresses
learning and Islamic education as the way to find God. All members of the
Qadiriya are directed to follow the precepts of humility, generosity, and
respect for their neighbors regardless of religious beliefs or social standing.
The Qadiriya brotherhood has had two main branches in Mauritania, the
Sidiya and the Fadeliya. Although the Sidiya has been most influential
in the vicinity of Trarza--where the family and followers of the brotherhood's
founder, Shaykh Sidiya Baba, were centered--it has also been important
in Brakna, Tagant, and Adrar. The Fadeliya, founded in the early nineteenth
century by Mohammad Fadel, has been centered in Oualâta and Atar.
The Tijaniya
Ahmed al Tijani, an Algerian Berber, founded the Tijaniya brotherhood in
1781. Its rituals tend to be simpler than those of the Qadiriya, and its
members are not expected to pursue Islamic learning to the same extent.
Essentially a missionary order, the Tijaniya brotherhood has spread in
many areas of West Africa at the expense of the Qadiriya. One explanation
for its expansion may be that the simpler and more flexible Tijaniya teachings
are better suited for modern life.
Tijaniya precepts include injunctions against lying, stealing, cheating,
and killing. These precepts insist that promises and obligations be honored,
neighbors be loved, and superiors be obeyed. Members are to deprive no
one of his freedom without cause and are to reflect continually on God
in prayer. Although the Tijaniya recognizes that everyone sins, it suggests
that loyal members of the brotherhood will be rewarded in an afterlife.
The Tijaniya has two branches in Mauritania, the Hadefiste (or Hafediste)
and the Omariya. Little is known about the Hadefiste. The Omariya branch
was founded by a Toucouleur, El Hadj Omar, in the latter part of the nineteenth
century. The membership of the Omariya is largely Toucouleur, but many
Soninké, Fulbe, and Wolof also belong to this order. A subdivision
of the Omariya, the Hamallya, was founded in the early twentieth century
by Sherif Hamallah. The Hamallya emphasizes mystical Islamic beliefs more
than most of the other brotherhoods and stresses the equality of all mankind.
Drawn from the Fulbe and from mixed Maure groups, Hamallya membership initially
included ex-slaves, young people, and women. This group has tended to be
extremist, and the main Tijaniya brotherhood claims it is not a true Tijaniya
group.
Marabouts
The leader of a brotherhood, called shaykh by the Maures, is often referred
to as a marabout. This term, however, is a general title that applies to
any religious leader or to any person who performs the functions traditionally
associated with Islam. In a religion without formal clergy, the marabout
represents the human element in the faith, the intermediary between the
people and Islamic theology. The marabout exercises a moral and spiritual
influence within the culture and propagates the faith by teaching, proselytizing,
and--at least in the past--wielding political influence. Marabouts usually
are associated with a brotherhood and, like the leaders of the brotherhoods,
are believed to possess baraka.
The functions of a marabout include teaching and promoting Islamic culture;
leading religious recitations (including chants in some cases) in community
prayer; and performing rites connected with curing the ill, preventing
misfortune, and soothsaying. Because illness is believed to have spiritual
as well as physiological causes, the marabout is called upon to help cure
the sick. The marabout also makes, uses, and sells amulets and talismans
that are believed to have mystical powers to protect their bearer from
sickness, injury, and other misfortune.
Other functions of the marabout include negotiation, mediation, and
activities related to peacekeeping; the granting of protection and asylum
to individuals; and the acting as advisers and agents of important tribal
leaders. Although the role of the marabout as political adviser to warring
tribes or groups has diminished, many of these mediation or arbitration
tasks have political overtones.
Mauritania Table of Contents
Source: U.S. Library of Congress |