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Aquermoud
View on Wikipedia | This article may incorporate text from a large language model. (February 2026) |
Aquermoud (أقرمود; Tifinagh: ⴰⵇⵕⵎⵓⴷ) is a town and rural commune in the Essaouira Province of the Marrakesh-Safi region of Morocco.[2] Centrally located within the Chiadma tribal territory, it serves as a significant administrative and religious center for the surrounding rural population.
Key Information
Etymology
[edit]The name Aquermoud (alternatively spelled Akermoud) is derived from the Berber (Amazigh) root. In the Tachelhit dialect, the name is associated with the geological and botanical features of the Akermoud plateau. The prefix "A-" typically identifies a singular masculine noun in Berber toponymy.[3] Local oral traditions also link the name to historical figures within the early Islamic tribal confederations of the region.
History
[edit]Ancient and Medieval Foundations
[edit]The region surrounding Aquermoud has been inhabited since antiquity, serving as the agricultural hinterland for coastal settlements such as the ancient port of Mogador. Historically, the area was dominated by the Masmuda Berber confederation.[4]
Aquermoud holds a primary position in the history of the Regraga tribes, a maraboutic confederation. According to local hagiography, seven Berber saints from this region traveled to Mecca during the lifetime of the Prophet Muhammad, converting to Islam and returning to North Africa to spread the faith long before the Arab conquests.[5] Aquermoud is home to the Zaouïa of Taifa, one of the thirteen rural brotherhoods of the Regraga. This specific zaouïa is highly regarded as it contains the tombs (qubba) of three of the seven founding saints.[6]
Administrative Evolution
[edit]During the era of the French protectorate, Aquermoud was established as a rural administrative post. Following Morocco's 2015 territorial reorganization, the commune was transferred from the Marrakesh-Tensift-El Haouz region to the newly established Marrakesh-Safi region to streamline provincial governance.[7]
Geography
[edit]Aquermoud is situated on the Akermoud plateau in western Morocco. The landscape is characterized by semi-arid plains and extensive forests of argan trees. The plateau is a vital hydrogeological zone, containing a groundwater basin with an estimated capacity of 9 million cubic meters, which supports the region's agricultural and domestic water needs.[8]
Demographics
[edit]The population of Aquermoud has shown steady growth over the last two decades:
- 2004 Census: 15,037 inhabitants (2,738 households).[9]
- 2014 Census: 15,662 inhabitants.[10]
- 2024 Estimate: 15,981 inhabitants.[1]
The commune is primarily inhabited by the Chiadma tribe, an Arabized Berber group. Consequently, the population is largely speaking Moroccan Arabic (Darija).[11]
Economy
[edit]The economy is predominantly based on primary sector activities:
- Agriculture and Forestry: The commune is part of the UNESCO-recognized Arganeraie Biosphere Reserve. Argan oil production is a major source of income for local cooperatives.[12]
- Livestock: Pastoralism, including sheep and goat herding, is common on the Akermoud plateau.
- Tourism and Trade: The weekly souk (market) in Aquermoud serves as a commercial hub for local farmers and traders.
Infrastructure
[edit]- Utilities: The commune is currently being integrated into regional water networks to draw from the Moulay Abderrahmane Dam, reducing reliance on depleting groundwater.[13]
- Transportation: The commune is accessible via the P2201 road and is served by rural bus lines connecting to Essaouira.
- Education: The local government manages several primary schools and a fleet of school transport vehicles to service remote hamlets (douars).[14]
Culture and Traditions
[edit]Aquermoud is a central stop in the Daour of the Regraga, an annual 39-day pilgrimage that takes place during the spring equinox. The procession, led by the Moqaddem of the Zaouïa of Taifa (often referred to as the "Bride" or Arossa), visits the sacred shrines in the commune to distribute Baraka (spiritual blessing) and reinforce tribal ties.[6]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Essaouira (Province, Morocco) - Population Statistics, Charts, Map and Location." CityPopulation.de. Accessed January 2026.
- ^ "Aquermoud." Wikipedia. Accessed January 2026.
- ^ "Toponymie de la région d'Essaouira." Institut Royal de la Culture Amazighe (IRCAM).
- ^ Ibn Khaldun. "History of the Berbers." (Kitab al-Ibar).
- ^ Mana, Abdelkader. "The Regraga: The Legend of the Seven Saints." Eddif, 1988.
- ^ a b "The Daour of Regraga in Morocco: A Rite of Regeneration." Geoffrey Billett Photography. 2019.
- ^ "Bulletin Officiel: Décret n° 2.15.40 fixant le nombre des régions." Kingdom of Morocco, 2015.
- ^ "Richesse en eau souterraine au niveau du plateau d’Akermoud." Agence du Bassin Hydraulique du Tensift (ABHT).
- ^ "Recensement général de la population et de l'habitat de 2004." Haut-Commissariat au Plan (HCP).
- ^ "Recensement Général de la Population et de l'Habitat 2014." HCP.
- ^ Pascon, Paul. "Le Haouz de Marrakech." Centre Universitaire de la Recherche Scientifique, 1977.
- ^ "Arganeraie Biosphere Reserve, Morocco." UNESCO World Heritage Centre.
- ^ "Projet d'alimentation en eau potable des communes rurales." Office National de l'Electricité et de l'Eau Potable (ONEE).
- ^ "Acquisition of a School Transport Vehicle for the Benefit of the Town Aquermoud." Morocco Tenders, 2025.