These special structures, ancient banks are 500 years old. They are found in the beautiful Sahara Desert.
The Amazigh people, who are the original people of North Africa, built these old storehouses. These houses are made of rocks, clay, and palm trees. These houses are found in a special region of Morocco, called Souss-Massa. They keep important things safe here. They demonstrate how the Amazigh people settled down and started farming.
A long time ago, these igoudar were very important. Amazigh people used these places to keep things, and they think they are one of the oldest banking systems in the world. They were also social centers where Amazigh people could discuss important matters, trade goods and make collective decisions. They are taking us to the past, how the Amazigh people lived.
They stored food like grains, nuts, and dates, as well as other important items like carpets, jewelry, and legal documents. To protect their treasures from theft, harsh weather conditions, and attacks from rival tribes, these storehouses were strategically built in the mountains.
These storehouses became very important to the Amazigh life. Not only for storing things, but they also used them as mosques to worship, places to discuss important things, and safe places during wars. They added more things to the storehouses like water tanks and workshops for making metal tools.
Amazigh people worked together like a cooperative, where everyone contributed and shared. They stored extra food, clothes, and other things because when someone needed something, they could take it from the storehouse.
They also had a system. People can donate some of their crops to the storehouse. After farming, this food was distributed among the people of the community. To make sure that everyone had enough food to eat, even during times of difficulty.
The people called “Inflas” who were like elders. They will choose people to guard storehouses, they called them “Amins”. These guards had to keep the storehouse safe, settle arguments, and make sure everyone followed the rules. They even had their own living space and a small mosque to pray.
The Amazigh people were good farmers. They grew like wheat, dates, and berries. They used a special way to bring water to their farms. To keep the food safe in the hot desert, the storehouses have special air vents.
These storehouses are no longer used. It’s become an important historical place. But still one village called “Aït Kine”, uses the storehouse. People store their food, jewelry, and important documents there. They even have weddings and other events inside the storehouse.
The people in charge of the storehouse maintained the records. They will note down what was put down and to who it belonged in the storehouse. These records are very important to the community.
These houses were built using natural materials like palm trees and clay. They built these houses using environmentally friendly and sustainable methods, ensuring their longevity.
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