Anergui Valley
The Anergui Valley is one of the most pristine high valleys on the northern flank of the High Atlas in the Azilal province in the Béni Mellal-Khénifra region in Morocco .
location
The Anergui Valley is located about 80 to 120 km (driving distance) southeast of Beni Mellal at an altitude of about 1500 m . Only a few years ago a winding, but partly paved road (R306) led from Ouaouizeght into the valley through which the Assif Melloul flows. It can also be reached from Imilchil (approx. 65 km northeast) or from the Aït Bougoumez Valley (approx. 90 km southwest) - ideally as part of a multi-day trekking tour.
population
The majority of the population belongs to the Berber tribe of the Aït Sukhman and speaks a regional dialect of the Central Atlas Tamazight . But Moroccan Arabic and French are also understood by many.
economy
For centuries, the inhabitants of the remote valley lived as self-sufficient farmers from agriculture and cattle breeding. Mainly barley , onions and vegetables were grown on small plots ; livestock included sheep, goats and chickens. Only since the 1980s have attempts been made to build an infrastructure that is acceptable to tourists, but the valley is still largely untouched by the benefits of tourism.
history
In the absence of written records, nothing is known about the earlier history of the high valley. However, it can be assumed that it was first roamed by hunters and then used as summer pasture by cattle nomads ( transhumants ) in a later phase . Only gradually (perhaps not until the end of the Middle Ages) did the process of becoming settled set in, which, however, led to constant conflicts with the still wandering nomads, but also with hostile neighboring villages.
Attractions
Apart from the diverse landscape aspects, the simple single-storey houses made of the building materials provided by nature (field stones, clay, logs and reeds) and the block-like multi-storey defense and storage towers ( agadire ) are impressive to this day . The latter give an impression of the willingness to defend the Berber population living here.
Surroundings
Only about 50 km as the crow flies but about 135 km to the north are near Boutferda in the Aoujgal gorge - further storage and defense structures built into towering rock walls.
Web links
- Anergui Valley, weir and storage structures - photos and brief information (French)
- Anergui Valley, landscape with villages as well as weir and storage structures - photos (French)
Coordinates: 32 ° 4 ′ 0 ″ N , 5 ° 56 ′ 2 ″ W.