Women dance with their faces covered, during the festival of ancient cities in Oualata, Eastern Mauritania, on December 11, 2023. The festival, held from December 8 to December 12, 2023, aims to celebrate the historical and cultural heritage of the ancient Mauritanian cities, such as Ouadane, Chinguetti, Tichitt and Oualata, classified as World Heritage sites by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). (Photo by Michele Cattani / AFP)