Water Management: An Ancestral Intelligence
The Tighmert/Asrir oasis boasts a remarkable network of “Khettara,” an ancient underground irrigation system designed to collect infiltration water and channel it to the surface for agricultural use. The Khettara of Taramguist, for example, showcases the effectiveness and sustainability of this centuries-old method, perfectly adapted to manage a scarce and precious resource.
The oasis’s strength lies in its abundant water resources and the community’s intelligent management of them. However, threats loom in the form of degradation and pollution, particularly from detergents used by locals that are discharged into the Ouerguenoun wadi, clogging watercourses and diminishing their efficiency. The use of motor pumps to draw water from underground aquifers further exacerbates the reduced flow of the oasis’s primary water source. In agriculture, the palm grove’s microclimate supports subsistence activities like fodder and market gardening. Although current date production is of poor quality, it holds potential for improvement through the use of disease-resistant suckers (gharss).
An Inexhaustible Cultural Heritage
The cultural richness of Tighmert/Asrir reflects centuries of interactions and exchanges. The residents have always been the driving force behind the oasis’s dynamism. A kasbah transformed into a museum showcases traditional objects that narrate the story of nomadism and Sahrawi culture. Historical sites like the Zaouia of Asrir, the ancient Caid houses, and the Tayssa caves are must-see attractions. Tighmert/Asrir is also the heartland of G’dra folk dance and a center of Hassani poetry.
Great Eco-Tourist Potential
Tighmert/Asrir is a treasure trove for eco-tourism, with its artisanal crafts using palm branches and leather, traditional songs and dances, and the Moussem l’Aabid (Ganga Festival) held every August. Visitors can savor local gastronomy, including dishes made from wheat or barley, camel meat skewers, and tagines. The exceptional Saharan landscapes just an hour away, coupled with the legendary hospitality of the locals, make Tighmert/Asrir an irresistible eco-tourist destination. Local products, such as aromatic and medicinal plants like mugwort, gum arabic, henna, and the quality basketry, offer natural and authentic delights.
A Past That Must Be Reborn
Despite its historical and cultural wealth, Tighmert/Asrir faces challenges due to a lack of resources and energy to preserve its heritage. Modern constructions, environmental degradation, and a shift towards superficial modernity threaten the oasis’s unique character. However, the dynamic civil society of Tighmert/Asrir is actively working to counter these trends, requiring support and guidance to strengthen their efforts. Effective local governance is crucial in balancing preservation with modern needs. Initiatives like the Program to Combat Desertification and Combat Poverty through the Protection and Development of Oases provide technical support to local actors, enabling them to implement integrated conservation and development plans.
Integration and Innovation in Asrir – Tighmert
A fruitful partnership has emerged between the rural commune of Asrir-Tighmert, the Wilaya of Guelmim Es-Sémara, and the South Oasis Program. This collaboration aims to:
- Support rural oasis communities in participatory planning for sustainable development.
- Promote decentralization, deconcentration, and good governance.
- Implement a municipal economic and social development plan that integrates oasis preservation and development priorities.
With the support of UNDP and Finnish Cooperation, Tighmert/Asrir is set to establish the first eco-tourist circuit of the southern oases. This includes developing simple and authentic accommodations, training local youth, and creating thematic circuits. Funds have been mobilized, and the initiative’s success will serve as a model for other oasis territories.
Tighmert/Asrir stands at a crossroads, where the richness of its past can fuel a vibrant future, blending heritage with innovation and sustainability.