Chattel slavery, in which one person is owned as another's property, has existed in the West African country of Mauritania for 800 years. The ruling class is known as the bidanes (translated as white-skinned people) who are descendants of the Sanhaja Berbers and Beni Hassan Arab tribes who emigrated to Western Africa during the Middle Ages. They are the masters of the haratines, the black slave caste that makes up roughly 20% of the population (up to 600,000 men, women and children). The form of slavery that exists in Mauritania is called hereditary slavery, which means that a child who is born to a mother who is a slave inherits her status and serves the same family she does. It's because of this practice that the bidanes no longer need to hunt for slaves as many haratines serve the same family for generations.
Showing posts with label Slavery. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Slavery. Show all posts
Monday, June 4, 2012
Slavery in Mauritania
Chattel slavery, in which one person is owned as another's property, has existed in the West African country of Mauritania for 800 years. The ruling class is known as the bidanes (translated as white-skinned people) who are descendants of the Sanhaja Berbers and Beni Hassan Arab tribes who emigrated to Western Africa during the Middle Ages. They are the masters of the haratines, the black slave caste that makes up roughly 20% of the population (up to 600,000 men, women and children). The form of slavery that exists in Mauritania is called hereditary slavery, which means that a child who is born to a mother who is a slave inherits her status and serves the same family she does. It's because of this practice that the bidanes no longer need to hunt for slaves as many haratines serve the same family for generations.
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