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Episode 8
53minutes.

Welcome to my strange city - Chinguetti - Mauritania

Part 7/8

Synopsis

The city of Chinguetti lies in the heart of the Sahara, in Mauritania. It is an endangered jewel. Known since the Middle Ages for its architecture and cultural influence, the small city is threatened by the desert's relentless progress.
Since the 1950s, the phenomenon has been accelerating, but the inhabitants have no intention of giving up. Armed with shovels and bags, accompanied by an army of donkeys, volunteers tirelessly remove sand from the city's alleys. With each storm, the sand covers everything again; it gets everywhere and physically hurts everyone. But the inhabitants can count on one of the desert' miracles: its oases. Chinguetti was built on a spring, its soil is rich and moist. They grow dates, of course, but also the best organic vegetables thanks to the sand and their camel dung fertilizer! There are true gardens of Eden in the heart of the desert. For 2 weeks, Alexandra Alévêque will live with Salima, his wife Aishetou and their 3 children. Alongside this modest peasant family, Alexandra will discover bold and inventive inhabitants: fatalistic but not resigned, and above all endowed with a sense of humor and generosity that Africans have nurtured for generations.

Available Versions

Audio

French, English

Subtitle

None

Transcription

None

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