Living in the desert

Summary

Ali, the last of his family to preserve their nomadic tradition in the Mauritanian desert, lives with his wife Daa and her brothers, enduring a harsh environment. Despite the challenges, including devastating droughts that nearly wiped out their animals, Ali remains committed to the desert life. Though he briefly tried city life, he returned to the desert, where he finds dignity in survival. His children, however, seek education and a different future. Ali dreams of rain transforming the desert and his children returning, but for now, he holds onto the pride of living in this unforgiving landscape.

Takeaways

• 🏜️ Ali lives in the Mauritanian desert, preserving the nomadic tradition while others have left for the city or abroad.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 His wife Daa and her brothers have remained with him in the desert, working together to survive the harsh conditions.
• 💀 The 1980s droughts decimated livestock and threatened human survival in the desert.
• 🌾 More than 70% of Mauritania’s population relies on pastures, but the number of nomads has halved over the last 20 years.
• 🚜 Ali tried city life by buying a wheat grinder, but he couldn’t adapt to the fast pace and pollution, so he returned to the desert.
• 📚 Although Ali loves his desert life, he prioritizes his children’s education and supports them with money earned from livestock sales.
• 🏙️ Ali's older children live in Nouakchott and only return to the desert for vacations to stay connected to their roots.
• 🌧️ Ali dreams of rain transforming the desert into a green meadow so his children can return and live with him forever.
• 💪 Despite the hardships, Ali and Daa find dignity in their perseverance, surviving with pride in their desert life.
• 🛡️ They view the desert not as a place of wealth but as a place where they can face adversity with strength and emerge stronger.

Q & A

Who is Ali and where does he live?

Ali is the last member of his family who continues to preserve the nomadic tradition. He lives in the Mauritanian desert.

What challenges do Ali and his family face in the desert?

Ali and his family face a hostile environment, including two devastating droughts in the 1980s that decimated their livestock and made survival difficult.

What percentage of the Mauritanian population lives off pastures?

More than 70% of the Mauritanian population lives off pastures.

What caused many nomadic families to leave the desert?

Severe droughts and difficult living conditions caused many nomadic families to leave the desert and move to cities or abroad.

What was Ali's experience when he tried living in the city?

Ali tried living in the city by buying a wheat grinder and working hard, but he couldn’t adapt to the city life, including car fumes and the fast pace. He eventually returned to the desert.

What is Ali’s dream for his family and their life in the desert?

Ali dreams that it will rain for days, turning the dry land into a green meadow, and that his children will return to live with them in the desert forever.

How do Ali and his wife fund their children’s education?

Ali and his wife use the money they earn from selling their livestock to pay for their children's education.

Where do Ali’s older children live, and how do they stay connected with their parents?

Ali’s older children live in the city of Nouakchott and only return to the desert during vacations to stay connected with their parents.

What does Ali say about dignity in the desert?

Ali believes that dignity is not about wealth but about surviving in a harsh environment with strength and pride. It involves facing death with determination and continuing to live in the desert with honor.

What is the significance of water in Ali’s life and dreams?

Water is a symbol of life and hope for Ali. He dreams of rain transforming the desert into a green meadow, representing renewal and the return of his children.