Akka (Morocco)
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| State : |
 Morocco
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| Region : | Souss-Massa | ||||
| Province : | Tata | ||||
| Coordinates | 29 ° 23 ′ N , 8 ° 15 ′ W | ||||
| Residents : | 6,870 (2014) | ||||
| Height : | 520 m | ||||
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Akka ( Arabic اقا, Taschelhit ⴰⴽⴽⴰ ) is an oasis town with almost 7,000 inhabitants in the province of Tata in the Souss-Massa region in southern Morocco .
location
The small town of Akka, which is only about 520 m high, lies in a depression on the edge of the about 1000 m high mountain peaks of the southern foothills of the Anti-Atlas Mountains about 146 km (driving distance) east of Taghjijt on the N12. It is a good 60 km to Tata in a north-easterly direction. The climate is desert-like; Rain (on average approx. 180 mm / year) only falls - if at all - in the winter months.
population
| year | 1994 | 2004 | 2014 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents | 6,519 | 7.102 | 6,870 |
The population of Akka consists almost exclusively of members of various Berber tribes from the area. Most of them have immigrated since the 1970s - because of the lack of rain in their home villages, but also for socio-cultural reasons (hope for work, improvement in material living conditions and health care, better opportunities for schooling for children, etc.).
economy
In earlier centuries self-sufficiency was at the center of economic activity. Only after the completion of a piste from Guelmim via Akka to Tata and on to Ouarzazate during the French colonial period could the food produced in the date palm oasis be sold on regional or national markets. At the same time, new vegetables (potatoes, tomatoes, etc.) came into the area and enriched the menu. Even today, the oasis economy dominates the life of most of the residents; Dates, olives, grapes, pomegranates and figs are primarily produced, but it is also possible to grow cereals (barley, wheat, corn) and vegetables (broad beans, carrots, tomatoes, etc.). In addition to agriculture, many small businesses have developed in the craft, business and service sectors.
history
As with all Berber villages, there is no written record of the history of Akka. However, it can be assumed that the palm oasis was discovered by early hunters and gatherers and that a few centuries later it was permanently settled by nomads. However, the cattle (sheep, goats, chickens) could no longer roam freely, but had to be kept in pens or stables, which significantly reduced the population. In the phase of settling down , recurring and often fatal conflicts between the oasis inhabitants and roaming cattle nomads were not uncommon. In the Middle Ages, the Akka oasis was probably - at least temporarily - an important caravan site .
Attractions
- Some of the new houses in the center of Akka have - similar to the neighboring town of Tata - arcade porches on the ground floor to protect them from the sun .
- Surroundings
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- To the north of Akka there is an extensive palm oasis between two brooks that only carry water in winter and early spring.
- The ruins of a fortress ( kasbah ) from the 19th century and a collective store ( Agadir ) for the safe storage of food supplies, farm equipment and other valuables are located in the suburb of Azro , about 3 km to the northeast .
- In about 8 km north of Acre located oasis settlement Agadir Amghar ( 29 ° 26 '20 " N , 8 ° 14' 45" W ) is set to a small hill still about 10 m high stump of an in clay brick built minaret , which because of its eye-catching diamond decorations are dated by many to the 12th or 13th century, i.e. the era of the Almohads . The neighboring mosque , which was built from rammed earth in contrast to the minaret , has almost disappeared.
- In the vicinity of the path between Aït Rahal and the north-western canyon of Targannt there are some rock carvings , which you can walk past without a local guide.
- The same applies to the petroglyphs at Oum el Alek, about 7 km east of Akka .
Personalities
- Aminatou Haidar (* 1966), human rights activist
Web links
- Akka - Photos + Info (LookLex, English)
- Akka and surroundings - photos + brief information
- Minaret of Agadir Amghar - Photos + Info (French)
- Palm oasis near Akka - photo
- Palm oasis near Akka - photo