Women of the Sand : Character Generator
- 0000 : Color Bars ( XX minutes, XX seconds )
- 0100 : First video frame of the documentary
- 0139-0144 : “ The desert teaches by taking away .“
Arab proverb
- 0145-0148 : Women of the Sand
- 0153-0221 : Initial Roll :
Mauritania, West Africa.
A land populated by nomads,
where life has for millennia
been shaped by the Sahara desert.
Desertification is threatening
the nomadic lifestyle.
The Sahara advances six miles a year.
The sand consumes oases and
water wells, and engulfs whole cities.
The last desert nomads struggle to stay
alive and to keep their traditions.
( UNLESS NOTED, ALL INTERVIEWS ARE
SPOKEN IN HASSANIA, THE LOCAL LANGUAGE )
- 0408-0432 : Meilinin :
Our lifestyle in the desert is completely
different from that of the city.
Here we are free
to visit whoever we want.
In the city we cannot visit
people we don’t know.
Here in the desert we are free
but in the city we are not free.
- 0521-0555 : Aly
When you live in the desert
for a long time,
you get used to the natural signs that
guide you such as rocks and vegetation.
Natural beacons
such as valleys, plants and dunes
help a lot in directing you
to arrive at any place.
You know the place and position of
the valleys and dunes where you live.
- 0616-0638 : Meilinin
I enjoy living in the desert.
Especially during the rainy season,
when everything is green.
It is good to see
the extension of the tents.
We welcome visitors and exchange
visits with neighbours.
This is why I like it here.
- 0935-1015 : Aly
Our life depends on nature.
Then our life is good, otherwise
life is weak for the young and the old.
This is true both
for humans and animals.
The best moment is when
you are healthy in a rainy season.
This is happiness
for the nomadic society.
When there’s water and we feel
the green, our life is happy.
- 1016-1110 : Fatimetou ( FRENCH )
All depends on the mentality,
on the way of life,
on the environment in which we live.
When I, we walk in the desert
We feel the beauty of nature,
the beauty of God’s creation
The power of God.
When you see the trees,
the sky, the dunes,
You think about the power of God.
- 1225-1330 : Zheinabou
In order to appreciate
the value of a mother,
you could remember the words
of the poet Ahmed Chawqi :
A mother is a school per se.
If you prepare her for her mission, you
are preparing a whole great nation.
Women are society’s educators.
We are the ones who spend
much of our time with the children.
Men are maily
taking care of financial matters.
The woman is the center of any social
unit, be it at home or society at large.
All depends on education.
The more educated we are, the more
likely we are to keep great morality.
So the education of my children
based on the Islamic model
is the top value of my life.
- 1428-1502 : Mariam
It is hard to raise my daughter.
We are poor.
But God willing, education
will lead her to a better life.
She already knows to read
and write well, God be praised.
She can write to her relatives and
friends, and know about the world.
- 1503-1532 : Aghla
I want to continue my studies so I can
get a better life and help my mother.
I wish to become a teacher
because education
is the most important thing in life.
I study hard and also help my mother
with the household chores.
At the end of the day, all women
get together to have some fun.
- 1654-1659 : Madrassa ( religious school )
- 1714-1759 : Fatimetou ( FRENCH )
For us Muslims, the significance of
teaching the Koran to the children
is due to the fact the it is considered
to be an internal regulation.
It is the teachings of God.
The Koran for us
is the book of status.
It embodies the rules
that a Muslim must always follow.
If the children learn Koran, they adopt
and practice Islam since childhood.
It is an obligation.
Why?
To know from early childhood what
the Lord wants him or her to do.
- 1840-1928 : Alhage
The role of women in Islam is a very
frequent question nowadays.
Islam is accused in this issue
most of the time.
If you know Islam
you will see it as a perfect system.
Islam gives every one
his or her due rights.
All are free to compete
in many fields like science.
There are certain fields
which are based on complementarities.
This is the wisdom of Islam.
It divides the roles.
It gives to this or that sex
the suitable work.
So we cannot say that the role of women
is less important than the one of the men.
- 2006-2044 : Aly
It is the tradition.
When my daughter marries,
she will have to leave her family home.
I should not be sorry about it.
When you give your daughter
to her new husband, it is over.
It is him who from then on
will decide and not me.
She will have to accept
her husband’s decisions.
She should not be sorry about it.
- 2113-2136 : Meilinin
I do not wish to leave here.
I enjoy my community.
I want to follow
my mother’s footsteps.
She taught me everything.
She passed on to me
all her life experience.
- 2216-2213 : Alhage
There are some allegations
in the Western media
trying to darken the Islamic image
because of the Taliban in Afghanistan.
Taliban had their understanding of
religion not shared by other Muslims.
The media was not fair with us.
The media has implied that
all Muslims behave like the Taliban.
In reality, the status of women
is great in Islam.
Everyone has his or her due rights.
In certain respects,
the gender issue is out of the question.
Example :
The heart and soul have nothing to do
whether you are male or female.
- 2347-2445 : Fatimetou ( FRENCH )
In your heart, in your life,
you must have faith.
Because this life is nothing but
preparation for life after death.
In this life we prepare for the next one.
If one doesn’t have faith
one cannot receive God.
Because one hasn’t accepted
His existence.
We must confess the existence
of God and His prophets
in order to be good Muslims.
And follow God’s teaching
in the Koran and the Hadiths.
- 2635-2704 : Mariam
We work together
as a women’s cooperative.
We share the work
and the results of our labour.
In the oasis near the well we grow
vegetables such as lettuce and carrots.
This allows our children to eat better
and to avoid malnutrition.
We also sell part of our production.
This generates revenue
to buy goods like salt and clothes.
- 2736-2758 : Mariam
Women here have also
started school canteens.
We were looking for a way to reduce
malnutrition and improve learning.
With our produce every school day
we cook a good meal to the students.
This way our children
grow healthier and study better.
- 2805-2810 : Meal at School Canteen
- 2840-2908 : Zheinabou
Our cooperative
doesn’t have many means.
But through solidarity we struggle
to improve the life of our community.
When we have a surplus
we buy medicines for our children.
People buy our produce because
they know how we use our revenue.
In this way we have a positive impact
on the lives of everbody around here.
- 2931-2936 : The pride of Harvesting
from a Barren Land
- 3032-3138 : Alhage
Since the time of the prophet Mohamed,
peace be unto Him,
Islam has given freedom to all
to exercise their potentials.
So everyone is in the place
he or she deserves.
The caring and emotional
characteristics of women
allow them to be superior to their
brothers in many situations.
Islam has respected women and
appreciated their roles in society.
But let’s distinguish
Islam from generalities.
The real Islam is seen theoretically
in the verses of the Koran
and practically
through our daily lives.
God knows !
- 3202-3249 : Fatimetou ( FRENCH )
The technological revolution
in all its forms is not a surprise to us.
Technology does not surprise us.
We can keep our
traditions and lifestyle
and still enjoy the advantages
of technological developments.
We can assimilate modernity and
know about the world around us
Without losing our
traditional Islamic customs.
- 3336-3446 : Fatimetou ( FRENCH )
A message to women?
Who am I to send a message ?
Who am I to give advice to others ?
But if I were to send a message,
I would ask my sisters to be ideal
in their Islamic behaviour,
so that they can contribute
to develop their communities,
working side by side with men,
their husbands, brothers, fathers.
Women should help them.
Women should educate their children
and participate in daily life as well.
- 3845-3856 : Mariam
Desertification is threatening
our oasis and the water supply.
We are trying to build defenses against
the sand with dead tree branches.
- 3927-3946 : Mohamed
The struggle against desertification
is basic for our survival.
All our community got together
to defend the oasis.
It is an obligation.
Men and women work together.
God willing we shall succeed !
- 4146-4255 : Boba
Since I got divorced,
I had to support myself.
So I decided to start my own business.
I opened this shop.
I am always busy buying merchandise
and taking care of my customers.
I have generated enough money
to survive and to raise my children.
All this happened when
I was pregnant with my daughter.
I became a business woman in order
to be financially independent.
I don’t need to get married
in order to survive.
I save the money I want.
Now, I can survive on my own.
I will only marry if I find
a very reliable and rich man.
Otherwise, I will not marry.
- 4337-4410 : Zheinabou
Drinking tea is a social habit.
Nobody really knows its origin.
Historically, it is said that the
conditions for having tea are :
a group of people to drink it, a fire to
make it, and a long time to enjoy it.
Why three cups of tea?
There is a proverb that says :
The first cup of tea is hard like life,
the second one sweet like love,
and the last one bitter like salt.
- 4618-4710 : Boba
The most important thing in life
to me is to live happily,
I would like to live a long life
full of good things.
God willing, I’d like to change
my social status by remarrying again.
Otherwise, I will carry on
my life as usual.
It would be good to move to a new house
with a new husband and my children.
This is my dream, but
I am also happy in my current home.
No debts to pay, no problem !
I can receive guests and provide
for their needs with my own means.
Marriage is always better, but I have not
been able to fulfill this social dream yet.
- 4822-4910 : Zheinabou
The most important thing in life
is basically health.
Beyond that, it is important
to reach a certain level of education.
Education helps us to understand the
environment in which we are living.
Health and knowledge
are the most important things in life.
Knowledge has no limitation.
A healthy person could be well educated
but the opposite is not true.
My dream is to succeed
professionally in my work
and socially in family
and community life.
I hope to be happy in this life
and the one hereafter.
- 4932-4958 : Boba
When I walk in the desert,
I feel the quietness and see
the beauty inside and outside me.
It is complete freedom,
just like getting out of a cage.
Walking in the desert
brings back my pleasant memories,
so I want to walk more and more.
The pleasant past is great to remember.
The fresh air helps to get a fresh mind.
- 5100-5211 : Montage with characters
Women of the Sand
Meilinin
Aghla
Mariam
Fatimetou
Mariam
Zheinabou
Alhage
Zheinabou
Aly
Boba
- 5214-5300 : Final Credits – roll
Director / Editor
Ricardo Lobo
Executive Producer
Chaim Litewski
Producer in Mauritania
Lucy Barbosa
Camera
Ricardo Lobo
Patricia Gomes
Sound
Patricia Gomes
Filmed on location
in Mauritania
Boba sings
Traditional Sufi songs
Thanks to :
Aly and his family
Boba
Fatimetou
Zheinabou
Aischa
Alhage
Khaled Mansour
Richard Dalrymple
Philippe Guyon Le Bouffy
World Food Program
Ministry of Information
Copyright
Lobo, Litewski
- 0000 : Color Bars ( XX minutes, XX seconds )
- 0100 : First video frame of the documentary
- 0139-0144 : “ The desert teaches by taking away .“
Arab proverb
- 0145-0148 : Women of the Sand
- 0153-0221 : Initial Roll :
Mauritania, West Africa.
A land populated by nomads,
where life has for millennia
been shaped by the Sahara desert.
Desertification is threatening
the nomadic lifestyle.
The Sahara advances six miles a year.
The sand consumes oases and
water wells, and engulfs whole cities.
The last desert nomads struggle to stay
alive and to keep their traditions.
( UNLESS NOTED, ALL INTERVIEWS ARE
SPOKEN IN HASSANIA, THE LOCAL LANGUAGE )
- 0408-0432 : Meilinin :
Our lifestyle in the desert is completely
different from that of the city.
Here we are free
to visit whoever we want.
In the city we cannot visit
people we don’t know.
Here in the desert we are free
but in the city we are not free.
- 0521-0555 : Aly
When you live in the desert
for a long time,
you get used to the natural signs that
guide you such as rocks and vegetation.
Natural beacons
such as valleys, plants and dunes
help a lot in directing you
to arrive at any place.
You know the place and position of
the valleys and dunes where you live.
- 0616-0638 : Meilinin
I enjoy living in the desert.
Especially during the rainy season,
when everything is green.
It is good to see
the extension of the tents.
We welcome visitors and exchange
visits with neighbours.
This is why I like it here.
- 0935-1015 : Aly
Our life depends on nature.
Then our life is good, otherwise
life is weak for the young and the old.
This is true both
for humans and animals.
The best moment is when
you are healthy in a rainy season.
This is happiness
for the nomadic society.
When there’s water and we feel
the green, our life is happy.
- 1016-1110 : Fatimetou ( FRENCH )
All depends on the mentality,
on the way of life,
on the environment in which we live.
When I, we walk in the desert
We feel the beauty of nature,
the beauty of God’s creation
The power of God.
When you see the trees,
the sky, the dunes,
You think about the power of God.
- 1225-1330 : Zheinabou
In order to appreciate
the value of a mother,
you could remember the words
of the poet Ahmed Chawqi :
A mother is a school per se.
If you prepare her for her mission, you
are preparing a whole great nation.
Women are society’s educators.
We are the ones who spend
much of our time with the children.
Men are maily
taking care of financial matters.
The woman is the center of any social
unit, be it at home or society at large.
All depends on education.
The more educated we are, the more
likely we are to keep great morality.
So the education of my children
based on the Islamic model
is the top value of my life.
- 1428-1502 : Mariam
It is hard to raise my daughter.
We are poor.
But God willing, education
will lead her to a better life.
She already knows to read
and write well, God be praised.
She can write to her relatives and
friends, and know about the world.
- 1503-1532 : Aghla
I want to continue my studies so I can
get a better life and help my mother.
I wish to become a teacher
because education
is the most important thing in life.
I study hard and also help my mother
with the household chores.
At the end of the day, all women
get together to have some fun.
- 1654-1659 : Madrassa ( religious school )
- 1714-1759 : Fatimetou ( FRENCH )
For us Muslims, the significance of
teaching the Koran to the children
is due to the fact the it is considered
to be an internal regulation.
It is the teachings of God.
The Koran for us
is the book of status.
It embodies the rules
that a Muslim must always follow.
If the children learn Koran, they adopt
and practice Islam since childhood.
It is an obligation.
Why?
To know from early childhood what
the Lord wants him or her to do.
- 1840-1928 : Alhage
The role of women in Islam is a very
frequent question nowadays.
Islam is accused in this issue
most of the time.
If you know Islam
you will see it as a perfect system.
Islam gives every one
his or her due rights.
All are free to compete
in many fields like science.
There are certain fields
which are based on complementarities.
This is the wisdom of Islam.
It divides the roles.
It gives to this or that sex
the suitable work.
So we cannot say that the role of women
is less important than the one of the men.
- 2006-2044 : Aly
It is the tradition.
When my daughter marries,
she will have to leave her family home.
I should not be sorry about it.
When you give your daughter
to her new husband, it is over.
It is him who from then on
will decide and not me.
She will have to accept
her husband’s decisions.
She should not be sorry about it.
- 2113-2136 : Meilinin
I do not wish to leave here.
I enjoy my community.
I want to follow
my mother’s footsteps.
She taught me everything.
She passed on to me
all her life experience.
- 2216-2213 : Alhage
There are some allegations
in the Western media
trying to darken the Islamic image
because of the Taliban in Afghanistan.
Taliban had their understanding of
religion not shared by other Muslims.
The media was not fair with us.
The media has implied that
all Muslims behave like the Taliban.
In reality, the status of women
is great in Islam.
Everyone has his or her due rights.
In certain respects,
the gender issue is out of the question.
Example :
The heart and soul have nothing to do
whether you are male or female.
- 2347-2445 : Fatimetou ( FRENCH )
In your heart, in your life,
you must have faith.
Because this life is nothing but
preparation for life after death.
In this life we prepare for the next one.
If one doesn’t have faith
one cannot receive God.
Because one hasn’t accepted
His existence.
We must confess the existence
of God and His prophets
in order to be good Muslims.
And follow God’s teaching
in the Koran and the Hadiths.
- 2635-2704 : Mariam
We work together
as a women’s cooperative.
We share the work
and the results of our labour.
In the oasis near the well we grow
vegetables such as lettuce and carrots.
This allows our children to eat better
and to avoid malnutrition.
We also sell part of our production.
This generates revenue
to buy goods like salt and clothes.
- 2736-2758 : Mariam
Women here have also
started school canteens.
We were looking for a way to reduce
malnutrition and improve learning.
With our produce every school day
we cook a good meal to the students.
This way our children
grow healthier and study better.
- 2805-2810 : Meal at School Canteen
- 2840-2908 : Zheinabou
Our cooperative
doesn’t have many means.
But through solidarity we struggle
to improve the life of our community.
When we have a surplus
we buy medicines for our children.
People buy our produce because
they know how we use our revenue.
In this way we have a positive impact
on the lives of everbody around here.
- 2931-2936 : The pride of Harvesting
from a Barren Land
- 3032-3138 : Alhage
Since the time of the prophet Mohamed,
peace be unto Him,
Islam has given freedom to all
to exercise their potentials.
So everyone is in the place
he or she deserves.
The caring and emotional
characteristics of women
allow them to be superior to their
brothers in many situations.
Islam has respected women and
appreciated their roles in society.
But let’s distinguish
Islam from generalities.
The real Islam is seen theoretically
in the verses of the Koran
and practically
through our daily lives.
God knows !
- 3202-3249 : Fatimetou ( FRENCH )
The technological revolution
in all its forms is not a surprise to us.
Technology does not surprise us.
We can keep our
traditions and lifestyle
and still enjoy the advantages
of technological developments.
We can assimilate modernity and
know about the world around us
Without losing our
traditional Islamic customs.
- 3336-3446 : Fatimetou ( FRENCH )
A message to women?
Who am I to send a message ?
Who am I to give advice to others ?
But if I were to send a message,
I would ask my sisters to be ideal
in their Islamic behaviour,
so that they can contribute
to develop their communities,
working side by side with men,
their husbands, brothers, fathers.
Women should help them.
Women should educate their children
and participate in daily life as well.
- 3845-3856 : Mariam
Desertification is threatening
our oasis and the water supply.
We are trying to build defenses against
the sand with dead tree branches.
- 3927-3946 : Mohamed
The struggle against desertification
is basic for our survival.
All our community got together
to defend the oasis.
It is an obligation.
Men and women work together.
God willing we shall succeed !
- 4146-4255 : Boba
Since I got divorced,
I had to support myself.
So I decided to start my own business.
I opened this shop.
I am always busy buying merchandise
and taking care of my customers.
I have generated enough money
to survive and to raise my children.
All this happened when
I was pregnant with my daughter.
I became a business woman in order
to be financially independent.
I don’t need to get married
in order to survive.
I save the money I want.
Now, I can survive on my own.
I will only marry if I find
a very reliable and rich man.
Otherwise, I will not marry.
- 4337-4410 : Zheinabou
Drinking tea is a social habit.
Nobody really knows its origin.
Historically, it is said that the
conditions for having tea are :
a group of people to drink it, a fire to
make it, and a long time to enjoy it.
Why three cups of tea?
There is a proverb that says :
The first cup of tea is hard like life,
the second one sweet like love,
and the last one bitter like salt.
- 4618-4710 : Boba
The most important thing in life
to me is to live happily,
I would like to live a long life
full of good things.
God willing, I’d like to change
my social status by remarrying again.
Otherwise, I will carry on
my life as usual.
It would be good to move to a new house
with a new husband and my children.
This is my dream, but
I am also happy in my current home.
No debts to pay, no problem !
I can receive guests and provide
for their needs with my own means.
Marriage is always better, but I have not
been able to fulfill this social dream yet.
- 4822-4910 : Zheinabou
The most important thing in life
is basically health.
Beyond that, it is important
to reach a certain level of education.
Education helps us to understand the
environment in which we are living.
Health and knowledge
are the most important things in life.
Knowledge has no limitation.
A healthy person could be well educated
but the opposite is not true.
My dream is to succeed
professionally in my work
and socially in family
and community life.
I hope to be happy in this life
and the one hereafter.
- 4932-4958 : Boba
When I walk in the desert,
I feel the quietness and see
the beauty inside and outside me.
It is complete freedom,
just like getting out of a cage.
Walking in the desert
brings back my pleasant memories,
so I want to walk more and more.
The pleasant past is great to remember.
The fresh air helps to get a fresh mind.
- 5100-5211 : Montage with characters
Women of the Sand
Meilinin
Aghla
Mariam
Fatimetou
Mariam
Zheinabou
Alhage
Zheinabou
Aly
Boba
- 5214-5300 : Final Credits – roll
Director / Editor
Ricardo Lobo
Executive Producer
Chaim Litewski
Producer in Mauritania
Lucy Barbosa
Camera
Ricardo Lobo
Patricia Gomes
Sound
Patricia Gomes
Filmed on location
in Mauritania
Boba sings
Traditional Sufi songs
Thanks to :
Aly and his family
Boba
Fatimetou
Zheinabou
Aischa
Alhage
Khaled Mansour
Richard Dalrymple
Philippe Guyon Le Bouffy
World Food Program
Ministry of Information
Copyright
Lobo, Litewski