In the rugged mountains of Morocco’s Anti-Atlas, there’s an ancient granary that’s far from your average food storage. This centuries-old structure doesn’t just house crops; it also stores birth certificates, marriage licenses, religious contracts, and even traditional medical recipes written on palm leaves. Seriously, it’s like a historical filing cabinet in a mountain.
According to AFP on Saturday (July 27, 2024), this unique granary dates back to the 18th century. Despite the village shrinking to just 63 families, the people of Amazigh are determined to preserve it. Imagine a whole community clinging to an ancient storage unit like it’s the last Twinkie in an apocalypse.
While some villagers have opted to move to more promising and comfortable areas, the documents of those who have left remain safely tucked away in this granary. So, if you lose your birth certificate, just remember it might be chilling in a granary somewhere in Morocco.
The local guardian of this collective granary, or “agadir” in the Berber Moroccan language, proudly states that while the people may have left, their archives remain intact. It’s like the village version of “you can check out anytime you like, but you can never leave.”
Located 460 km from Morocco’s capital, Rabat, the agadir in Ait Kine is one of the few remaining communal granaries. It stands in the heart of the village, fortified with stone walls and a watchtower. Because why not add a medieval touch to your storage solutions?
Abdelghani Charai, a resident, explains that the agadir isn’t just for food storage; it’s a sanctuary for essential documents and a refuge during times of unrest. It’s a one-stop shop for grains and important papers – just in case you need to snack while escaping a rebellion.
The village elder, Hossine Oubrahim, highlights that the agadir is a testament to their ancestors’ efforts in ensuring food security and protection. It’s like their ancestors were the original preppers, minus the internet forums.
Naima Keddane, an archaeologist, mentions that the agadir is also revered as a sacred space, untouchable and vital for survival during droughts and attacks. This three-story structure has 76 compartments filled with barley, dates, almonds, and various documents. Outside, there’s an open space with a water tank. It’s basically a medieval mini-mall.
These communal granaries aren’t unique to Morocco; similar practices can be found in the Aures mountains of Algeria and the Nafusa mountains of Libya. However, Morocco boasts the highest number of these structures, with around 550 granaries, known as “igoudar” (plural for agadir), spread across caves, cliffs, hilltops, and valleys in central and southern regions.
The locals are dedicated to preserving their cultural heritage. They learn traditional construction and repair techniques to restore damaged or crumbling agadirs. This preservation effort also provides an economic boost, turning the granaries into tourist attractions and research sites.
For tourism, designer Amina Agueznay trains local women to revitalize the creative industry. Children are also brought to these ancient granaries to learn about their heritage, meet artisans, clean palm groves, and create models of the agadir using recycled palm materials.
So, next time you think of a granary, remember this fascinating place in Morocco that’s doing much more than just storing food. It’s preserving a rich history, culture, and a way of life – all while possibly holding the world’s oldest filing system.