259
Besides agriculture, tourism has become another important economic factor.
Tourists are attracted by the rich heritage of the Amazigh culture, in particular the
impressive earthen architecture (Box 15.2), the deep-rooted dances and cultic ritual
of the Ahwash (Box 15.3), and the handicraft traditions such as weaving and pottery.
However, increasing numbers of tourists put additional pressure on the scarce water
resources, even though the proportion of water use for tourism in the Middle Draa
Valley is only 0.3% of the total consumption (Karmaoui et al. 2016). In the worstcase, tourism can lead to cultural tension and destruction of cultural heritage as
shown by Keenan (2002) for various locations in the Sahara region. Furthermore,
there are also numerous examples around the globe where appreciation of cultural
elements by tourists has led to a revitalization of the heritage (Vorlaufer 1999).
In recent years, the region of Agdz has also experienced economic growth in the
local and regional transport and trade sector. Moreover, money transfers by men
working partly in the cities of the north or in Europe also play a significant role for
the local economy (Heidecke and Heckelei 2010). The social structure of the
Box 15.1 Oasis Agriculture
The Draa River sustains lush oases, where synergic human–nature interactions have formed and maintained agroecosystems. In Agdz, the oasis shows
a common scheme with predominately small plots that consist of three strata:
(a) palm trees, (b) small fruit trees and shrubs, and (c) herbaceous vegetation.
The date palms (Phoenix spec.) reach heights of 15–30 m (Karmaoui et al.
2014). In the shrub stratum, fruit trees like pomegranate (Punica granatum),
olive tree (Olea europaea), fig (Ficus carica), apples (Malus spec.), and henna
(Lawsonia inermis) are planted, while the herbaceous stratum is dominated
by the forage alfalfa (Medicago sativa), corn (Zea mays), and vegetables
(Fig. 15.2). Over centuries dryland inhabitants have coped with the challenge
of limited water availability by developing complex water harvesting and
distribution techniques and community-based management practices (Adeel
et al. 2008). The water is collected and channeled in the mountains using a
tunnel system, which in South Morocco is called Khettara (in other regions,
it is known as Qanat or Foggara). Using a gently sloping underground channel
the water is transported from an aquifer or well to the settlements and
cultivated areas that are often located several kilometers away from the water
source. In the oasis, traditionally open irrigation canals known as Saguias (or
Sagias) lead to the individual fields. The water distribution inside the oasis is
managed by the community with every family receiving the same amount of
time to irrigate their crops. Loam walls, palm trees, and shrubs create a cooler
microclimate and provide shade for the herbs. This way, water loss through
evapotranspiration is reduced. Today, the oasis system is subject to land use
intensification and land consolidation, which have significant impacts on
water availability and water management.
15 The Atlas Workshops of Agdz, Morocco: A Model Region for a Scientific–Artistic…
Besides agriculture, tourism has become another important economic factor.
Tourists are attracted by the rich heritage of the Amazigh culture, in particular the
impressive earthen architecture (Box 15.2), the deep-rooted dances and cultic ritual
of the Ahwash (Box 15.3), and the handicraft traditions such as weaving and pottery.
However, increasing numbers of tourists put additional pressure on the scarce water
resources, even though the proportion of water use for tourism in the Middle Draa
Valley is only 0.3% of the total consumption (Karmaoui et al. 2016). In the worstcase, tourism can lead to cultural tension and destruction of cultural heritage as
shown by Keenan (2002) for various locations in the Sahara region. Furthermore,
there are also numerous examples around the globe where appreciation of cultural
elements by tourists has led to a revitalization of the heritage (Vorlaufer 1999).
In recent years, the region of Agdz has also experienced economic growth in the
local and regional transport and trade sector. Moreover, money transfers by men
working partly in the cities of the north or in Europe also play a significant role for
the local economy (Heidecke and Heckelei 2010). The social structure of the
Box 15.1 Oasis Agriculture
The Draa River sustains lush oases, where synergic human–nature interactions have formed and maintained agroecosystems. In Agdz, the oasis shows
a common scheme with predominately small plots that consist of three strata:
(a) palm trees, (b) small fruit trees and shrubs, and (c) herbaceous vegetation.
The date palms (Phoenix spec.) reach heights of 15–30 m (Karmaoui et al.
2014). In the shrub stratum, fruit trees like pomegranate (Punica granatum),
olive tree (Olea europaea), fig (Ficus carica), apples (Malus spec.), and henna
(Lawsonia inermis) are planted, while the herbaceous stratum is dominated
by the forage alfalfa (Medicago sativa), corn (Zea mays), and vegetables
(Fig. 15.2). Over centuries dryland inhabitants have coped with the challenge
of limited water availability by developing complex water harvesting and
distribution techniques and community-based management practices (Adeel
et al. 2008). The water is collected and channeled in the mountains using a
tunnel system, which in South Morocco is called Khettara (in other regions,
it is known as Qanat or Foggara). Using a gently sloping underground channel
the water is transported from an aquifer or well to the settlements and
cultivated areas that are often located several kilometers away from the water
source. In the oasis, traditionally open irrigation canals known as Saguias (or
Sagias) lead to the individual fields. The water distribution inside the oasis is
managed by the community with every family receiving the same amount of
time to irrigate their crops. Loam walls, palm trees, and shrubs create a cooler
microclimate and provide shade for the herbs. This way, water loss through
evapotranspiration is reduced. Today, the oasis system is subject to land use
intensification and land consolidation, which have significant impacts on
water availability and water management.
15 The Atlas Workshops of Agdz, Morocco: A Model Region for a Scientific–Artistic…