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TRAVEL- MOROCCO
LEIGH WILKINS
THE ROAD TO RUIN
Incredulously it seems wherever you turn in Morocco there’ s something of interest that looks as though it’ s older than time. In most cases it’ s an illusion, not one of design, just of necessity and landscape. Of course, occasionally there are discoveries that are older than expected.
For us it started early into the ride, just after leaving the starting point of Ouirgane, the small Berber village within the Al Haouz province. Amongst the surrounding olive groves lay mud brick ruins, a souq and a kasbah, and a twelfth century mosque. All provided a glimpse into the history of the region.
Further on, ancient townships clung to life, precariously perched on mountainsides, stonework, mudbrick, and adobe all blended with the surrounds as if hiding from some unknown invader. This assumption might not be too far from the truth, for the Amazigh people of North Africa, primarily Morocco and Algeria, has a need to hide from those from foreign lands.
Imazighen have inhabited North Africa for thousands of years, with evidence of their presence dating back to ancient times. Outsiders historically used the term“ Berber” to refer to non-Greek speakers in the region, from Arabic the term al-barbar means foreign language speakers, while Imazighen themselves identify as Imazighen, meaning " free people ". It’ s a concept held in high regard these days as the Amazigh people are proud to announce such and state that they aren’ t necessarily Arabs.
Amazigh culture is diverse and rich, with a strong emphasis on family, community, and traditional practices. The people are known for their unique music, dance, and crafts, which reflect their history and connection to the land, evidence by the earthy constructions that
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