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
Commune of Boussemghoun
Location of Boussemghoun within El Bayadh Province
Location of Boussemghoun within El Bayadh Province
Boussemghoun is located in Algeria
Boussemghoun
Boussemghoun
Location of Boussemghoun within Algeria
Coordinates: 32°52′N 0°01′E / 32.867°N 0.017°E / 32.867; 0.017
Country Algeria
ProvinceEl Bayadh
DistrictBoussemghoun (coextensive)
Government
 • PMA Seats7
Area
 • Total585 km2 (226 sq mi)
Elevation
1,199 m (3,934 ft)
Population
 (1998)
 • Total2,480
 • Density4.2/km2 (11/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+01 (CET)
Postal code
32320
ONS code3213

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

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  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.