Boussemghoun

Boussemghoun
بلدية بوسمغون
Municipality
Commune of Boussemghoun

Location of Boussemghoun within El Bayadh Province
Boussemghoun

Location of Boussemghoun within Algeria

Coordinates: 32°52′N 0°01′E / 32.867°N 0.017°ECoordinates: 32°52′N 0°01′E / 32.867°N 0.017°E
Country  Algeria
Province El Bayadh
District Boussemghoun (coextensive)
Government
  PMA Seats 7
Area
  Total 585 km2 (226 sq mi)
Elevation 1,199 m (3,934 ft)
Population (1998)
  Total 2,480
  Density 4.2/km2 (11/sq mi)
Time zone CET (UTC+01)
Postal code 32320
ONS code 3213

Boussemghoun (Arabic: بوسمغون) is a municipality in El Bayadh Province, Algeria. It is co-extensive with the district of Boussemghoun, and has a population of 2,480 which gives it 7 seats in the PMA. Its postal code is 32320 and its municipal code is 3213.

The people of Boussemghoun speak a Berber dialect, locally termed "Chelha" or "Tachelhit"; as of 2004, this remained in regular use, in contrast with some neighbouring villages where the use of Berber is reported to be declining.[1] The oasis is a centre of the Tijaniyyah order, which was founded there by Sidi Ahmad al-Tijani in 1782; it has a Tijaniyyah zaouia.[2]

The earliest known historical mention of Boussemghoun is by Ibn Khaldun, in reference to a raid in 1370.[3]

References

  1. Mohamed Benali, Boussemghoun: Espace confrérique et pratiques linguistiques, Dar El Gharb: Oran 2004, pp. 16, 110
  2. op. cit., pp. 41ff.
  3. op. cit., p. 40.