257
first was the Saadi dynasty (1549–1659) followed by the Alaouite dynasty (since
1666). The rulers of these dynasties resided in the four royal cities of Fez, Marrakech,
Meknes, and Rabat. After the Middle Ages, large parts of North Africa including
Algeria and Tunisia got under the control of the Ottoman Empire. Morocco,
however, became an independent power under the Saadi dynasty, and was the only
Arab state to successfully assert itself against the Ottomans. Already in the early
nineteenth century Morocco was increasingly exposed to European claims to power,
which finally led to the colonization of northern and southern Morocco by the
Spaniards, resulting in three wars (1893, 1909, and 1921). France also increasingly
exercised political influence, which led to the division of the country in 1912, with
a small part in the north becoming a Spanish protectorate, much of the country,
however, a French protectorate (Maddy-Weitzman 2011).
After the World War II, negotiations began to end the protection treaty, and in
1956 Morocco was finally declared independent as the “Kingdom of Morocco.”
With the independence, the question arose as to what role the Amazigh culture could
play in the new state, and how it could become part of a homogeneous national
identity—among others against the background of “tribal-oriented speakers of
unwritten Berber dialects” (Maddy-Weitzman 2001). In the second half of the
twentieth century the Amazigh contribution to Moroccan history, culture, and
collective identity has been increasingly acknowledged. Jay (2016), for instance,
points out many positive aspects of the flourishing Amazigh culture in arts and
media in the last decades; among others the creation of the Institut Royal de la
Culture Amazighe in 2003 and the development of an “Amazigh theatre” that renews
and disseminates oral heritage such as myths and narratives using local dialects.
Furthermore, a strong Amazigh movement also carries the danger of ethnical
conflicts and challenges the existing political and socio-cultural order (MaddyWeitzman 2006). Despite the opportunities and risks posed by a growing Amazigh
collective self-consciousness and identity, Maddy-Weitzman (2001) judged this
development in Morocco and Algeria as irreversible and predicted that this process
will have a significant impact on North African affairs.
Agdz and Its Environmental, Socio-Cultural, and Political
Challenges
Agdz is located in the Zagora Province in the region of Draa-Tafilalet (Fig. 15.1).
“Agdz” means “resting place” and refers to its historical relevance along the caravan
route from Marrakesh to Timbuktu. The town played a major role for the exchange
of goods across the Sahara and is considered an important meeting point of cultures.
In the last two decades, Agdz has experienced a considerable increase in population
from 5870 in 1994 to 10,681 in 2014 (Haut-Commissariat au Plan 2019). This
development is reflected in the infrastructure development with new roads and
housing estates in the urban area. The region is characterized by harsh climatic and
15 The Atlas Workshops of Agdz, Morocco: A Model Region for a Scientific–Artistic…
first was the Saadi dynasty (1549–1659) followed by the Alaouite dynasty (since
1666). The rulers of these dynasties resided in the four royal cities of Fez, Marrakech,
Meknes, and Rabat. After the Middle Ages, large parts of North Africa including
Algeria and Tunisia got under the control of the Ottoman Empire. Morocco,
however, became an independent power under the Saadi dynasty, and was the only
Arab state to successfully assert itself against the Ottomans. Already in the early
nineteenth century Morocco was increasingly exposed to European claims to power,
which finally led to the colonization of northern and southern Morocco by the
Spaniards, resulting in three wars (1893, 1909, and 1921). France also increasingly
exercised political influence, which led to the division of the country in 1912, with
a small part in the north becoming a Spanish protectorate, much of the country,
however, a French protectorate (Maddy-Weitzman 2011).
After the World War II, negotiations began to end the protection treaty, and in
1956 Morocco was finally declared independent as the “Kingdom of Morocco.”
With the independence, the question arose as to what role the Amazigh culture could
play in the new state, and how it could become part of a homogeneous national
identity—among others against the background of “tribal-oriented speakers of
unwritten Berber dialects” (Maddy-Weitzman 2001). In the second half of the
twentieth century the Amazigh contribution to Moroccan history, culture, and
collective identity has been increasingly acknowledged. Jay (2016), for instance,
points out many positive aspects of the flourishing Amazigh culture in arts and
media in the last decades; among others the creation of the Institut Royal de la
Culture Amazighe in 2003 and the development of an “Amazigh theatre” that renews
and disseminates oral heritage such as myths and narratives using local dialects.
Furthermore, a strong Amazigh movement also carries the danger of ethnical
conflicts and challenges the existing political and socio-cultural order (MaddyWeitzman 2006). Despite the opportunities and risks posed by a growing Amazigh
collective self-consciousness and identity, Maddy-Weitzman (2001) judged this
development in Morocco and Algeria as irreversible and predicted that this process
will have a significant impact on North African affairs.
Agdz and Its Environmental, Socio-Cultural, and Political
Challenges
Agdz is located in the Zagora Province in the region of Draa-Tafilalet (Fig. 15.1).
“Agdz” means “resting place” and refers to its historical relevance along the caravan
route from Marrakesh to Timbuktu. The town played a major role for the exchange
of goods across the Sahara and is considered an important meeting point of cultures.
In the last two decades, Agdz has experienced a considerable increase in population
from 5870 in 1994 to 10,681 in 2014 (Haut-Commissariat au Plan 2019). This
development is reflected in the infrastructure development with new roads and
housing estates in the urban area. The region is characterized by harsh climatic and
15 The Atlas Workshops of Agdz, Morocco: A Model Region for a Scientific–Artistic…