"The Jewish Presence in Tafilalet" by Fouad Amraoui
The Jewish presence in the greater Tafilalet region (in the southeast of Morocco) is one of the oldest components of the cultural, religious, and civilizational fabric of Morocco. Our fathers and grandfathers told us stories of the Berber Jews, the original settlers of the Filali region. Our ancestors lived right next door to them in "Al-Qasr," a residential compound surrounded by a large wall.
The name “Tafilalet” can be traced back to “Tafilat,” the name of one of the many Jewish sects that were present in the area. Along with many other Jewish sects, it was famous for artisanal handicrafts and trading in gold and jewelry, especially in the cities of Rissani and Tenghir.
A group of monuments still show the mark of Jewish presence in the region. Most notably, the salahs are the residential neighborhoods filled with oasis palaces, religious temples, and cemeteries. In recent times, these monuments have received a great deal of protection and care projects to preserve the Jewish memory, in addition to the workshops of crafts and traditional industries. In addition, the religious seasons (such as Hailula) and the festive rituals display Jewish culture mixed with Amazigh and Arab influences in a remarkable way. Ashura at Iklimi Palace from the Grace Oasis, for example, is one of the celebrations that local residents celebrate to this day, accompanied by a large number of Jews from around the world. The ruins and remnants clearly highlight the actual presence of the values of coexistence and housing in the oasis of Tafilalet.
Recently, a space was designated for Jewish culture at the Sijilmasa Museum. The Forum of Civilizations is located at the Tariq Bin Ziyad Center for Studies and Research in Errachidia, and was founded to help students and researchers in the region to research the history of Filali Jews, an influential branch of Moroccan Jews and an integral part of the oasis heritage.
This gallery includes a collection of rare photographs and traditional tools associated with Jewish daily and religious life, including the following:
Pictures reflecting some of the handicraft and commercial activities carried out by the Jews in the region, which contributed greatly to local economic prosperity. This cultural and artisanal wealth gave Tafilalet a certain golden radiance that is praised in history books. I personally know many craftsmen and traditional craftsmen whose fathers or grandfathers learned the basics of their profession from the Jews who lived here.
The gallery includes pictures of weddings and a variety of other events: it gives the audience the opportunity to discover aspects of Jewish culture including, but not limited to, customs, traditions, fashion, jewelry, and beauty norms. These photos highlight the extent of the assimilation of Jewish elements into society to such an extent that it is sometimes difficult to differentiate between a well-dressed Jewish woman and her Amazigh/Arab counterpart.
Other miscellaneous images take a look into different aspects and figures that were key to Jewish life, including the image of Abu Hasira (1805-1880), a Jewish rabbi of Moroccan origin. He performed annual rituals at a shrine in Egypt and embodies the sanctity and unity of Jews from around the world.
Candlesticks: The seven (or nine) candlestick lamp, also called the menorah, is one of the most prominent Jewish religious symbols. The tradition is modeled after a large menorah made of pure gold. Jews believe that the sanctity of Solomon's temple is not complete without its illumination.
Lanterns: These are of different sizes and forms, including copper and marble. They consist of nine holes where the wicks that are ignited by oil are placed, then the domed glass is closed by chains.
Khemisset: In a reference to the hand of Fatima, five fingers are a common trait in amulets to protect against the evil eye and ward off misfortune and envy.
To this day, effects of the Jewish presence in the greater Tafilalet region are visible and numerous. Their influence is evident in the words of people, their clothing, architecture, food and ceremonies. The cultural mixing between Jewish, Arab, and Berber contributes to the distinct and beautiful Filali ethnic mosaic.
Fouad Amraoui is the Arabic Coordinator for Amideast Education Abroad in Rabat, Morocco.
