Tichit
UNESCO World Heritage Site, camel capital and even an airfield - not bad for a town with 2500 inhabitants. But if you already cover the 200 km sandy track from Tidjikja to Tichit, it should be worth it. The town of Tichit is the heart of the Tagant region, which was settled as Dār Tichit thousands of years ago. Arrowhead and tool finds are not uncommon, often sold regionally. The town of Tichit, in turn, was founded in the twelfth century but, like Tidjikja, had its peak in the 17th century as a hub for date cultivation. Even today, the local palm oases are among the largest in the country. Furthermore, it is the salt extracted from the sand that ensures the survival of the people here. Of interest to visitors, besides the traditional stone houses, is the old mosque in Tichit. Those who visit the city will not be able to avoid a visit to the small charming history museum. Also the local market is - as in every Mauritanian town - the center of activity and a remunerating visit. Tichit is embedded in two of our tours, in which you get to know Mauritania's south. A one-day stay is planned before we continue towards Aoukar Valley and Oualata via Akreijit and the Elephant Rock. In addition to spending the night in a local auberge, we can also pitch our tents outside the city at any time.
The area around Tichit, the Dār Tichit, represents one of the oldest cultural regions in West Africa. Different phases of settlement have left numerous traces in the region. Although Tidjikja is now the capital of the Tagant region, Tichit is the more interesting of the two cities.
3000 years ago, the Dār Tichit was a populated green landscape on the edge of a huge lake. Neolithic remains attest to livestock, agriculture and even fishing. Millet, rice, sorghum, sweet potatoes and palm fruits could still be harvested in those times. By the time the city of Tichit was founded in the 12th century, however, the lake had long since dried up and the landscape had changed radically. Only the date palms remained and, along with trade and salt mining, provided the basis for the town's economic prosperity.
