Boussemghoun

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.

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
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	UTC+01 (CET)
Postal code	32320
ONS code	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

• Algeria portal

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.