Semi-nomads in the Middle Atlas Mountains
The limestone mountains of the Middle Atlas are very sparsely populated. The area is known for its cedar forests and therefore suitable for forestry. There are few villages, only here and there farmers cultivate the non-irrigated stony soils. The Middle Atlas is the domain of agro-pastoralists. The harsh winters they spend in their villages in the valleys but in springtime they lead their herds to the pastures at high altitude. The khaimas (tents) they live in are between 15 and 60 square metres. They basically have the same structure as a Berber house. There is a section for receiving guests, sleeping quarters for men and for women and children. While the men herd their sheep and goats, the women are engaged in weaving carpets and tent cloth.
This part of the project is currently in a research phase and will be executed in 2012.