Sahrawi

Sahrawi refers to the indigenous Semitic-speaking ethnic group inhabiting Western Sahara and parts of Mauritania and southern Morocco. The term "Sahrawi" is derived from the Arabic word "sahra," meaning desert, reflecting their nomadic and semi-nomadic heritage in the Sahara Desert. Historically, they were organized into various nomadic tribes, known for their resilience and adaptation to the harsh desert environment.

The Sahrawi people share a common culture, language (Hassaniya Arabic), and Islamic faith. Their traditional lifestyle revolved around camel and goat herding, trade routes across the desert, and a complex tribal social structure. The discovery of phosphate deposits and the subsequent Spanish colonization in the late 19th century significantly impacted their way of life.

The political status of Western Sahara, claimed by both the Sahrawi people's self-proclaimed Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) and Morocco, has led to a long-standing conflict. Many Sahrawis have lived in refugee camps in Tindouf, Algeria, since the 1970s, awaiting a resolution to the territorial dispute. Despite the political challenges, Sahrawi culture continues to be preserved through oral traditions, music, poetry, and craftsmanship.