Tighermatine (sing. tighremt) are fortified dwellings that accommodated extensive families. The basic construction material of these refined buildings is raw earth. They are particularly notable for their ornate facades and towers, which give them an impressive appearance. These tighermatine are scattered all over the valleys of the Dadès, Drâa and Ziz rivers and even up to the foothills of the High Atlas. The Dadès Valley harbors the richest variety.
A tighremt (plural tighermatine), or dar in Arabic, is a domestic dwelling built around a central shaft that illuminates the various levels dimly and provides the necessary air circulation. Through a small corridor one enters the dark ground floor where the supplies and tools were kept. In winter and at night also the cattle were stabled there. A staircase leads to the second and possibly third floor where the living quarters are located. One floor up one reaches the roof with shady galleries and a colorfully painted reception room adjoining guest room.