Rabat – Though the town itself has a population of 2,800, the population of the villages scattered throughout the Skoura oasis in the Atlas Mountains is as many as 23,000 people. Many of the residents work as farmers. Their interaction with the oasis and its ecosystems is indispensable in their daily lives.
But life in Skoura is not limited to growing olives, dates, and pomegranates.
Tourism is rife in the stunning oasis. Travelers visit the local sites and hear what locals have to say about their remote government and the future of Morocco.
Traveling to Skoura means crossing the far-reaching Atlas Mountains, with Mt. Toubkal at 4,167 meters ranking as the highest point. Photo credit: Wouter IJzerman / Morocco World News.Snake enchanters and traveling merchants camp along the roads, luring travelers to their stalls. Photo credit: Wouter IJzerman / Morocco World News.Throughout the year farmers pump water out of the oasis to irrigate the crops, resulting in a low tide during the summer. Photo credit: Wouter IJzerman / Morocco World News.Every Monday people from the surrounding villages visit the market at Skoura to sell their goods. Photo credit: Wouter IJzerman / Morocco World News.Ranging from enormous pumpkins… Photo credit: Wouter IJzerman / Morocco World News.…To various potions that supposedly boost the male libido. Photo credit: Wouter IJzerman / Morocco World News.
Close to Skoura, Ait Ben Haddou, known by Game of Thrones fans as the ancient city of “Yunkai,” is a popular tourist site. Photo credit: Wouter IJzerman / Morocco World News.Historically a place for tax collection, many kasbahs were erected to store money throughout the centuries, awaiting collection. Photo credit: Wouter IJzerman / Morocco World News.While women often waited for suitable husbands within the confines of the kasbahs, they communicated via open-roof channels, commonly referred to as “Berber telephones.” Photo credit: Wouter IJzerman / Morocco World News.Nowadays 10 families still live within the kasbahs to maintain the buildings, including the many staircases, towers, and synagogue. Photo credit: Wouter IJzerman / Morocco World News.With Ait Ben Haddou being a popular destination among film companies, tour guides do not only make a living by enthralling tourists in “traditional” clothing. Photo credit: Wouter IJzerman / Morocco World News.Many locals work as extras in Hollywood productions such as Game of Thrones as well. Photo credit: Wouter IJzerman / Morocco World News.While millions of tourists visit Morocco every year for its beaches, cities, souks, and rich variety in nature, the Jewish cemetery and synagogue of Skoura are known for attracting tourists with Jewish ancestry. Photo credit: Wouter IJzerman / Morocco World News.The Jewish cemetery is famous as is the burial site of the venerated saint Rabbi David Arama Zatsal. Photo credit: Wouter IJzerman / Morocco World News.
As part of Skoura, changes come slowly to the village of Ouled Merzoug. But, the recently constructed road by the national government enables children to attend the highschool of Ouarzazate. Photo credit: Wouter IJzerman / Morocco World News.Local families are often not rich, but are only too happy to invite you into their homes and share their table with you. Photo credit: Wouter IJzerman / Morocco World News.After studying for 19 years at the Madrassa of Ouarzazate, the imam of Ouled Zeroug stresses the fate of the poor in his prayers, encouraging people to hand over a part of their income as charity, commonly known as zakat. Photo credit: Wouter IJzerman / Morocco World News.“I am not particularly rich myself, but whenever poor people ask me for help, I always show them to our orchard to help themselves to our dates,” said a local farmer. Photo credit: Wouter IJzerman / Morocco World News.Watching the sunset in the Atlas mountains. Photo credit: Wouter IJzerman / Morocco World News.Parting words and thanks to the host. Photo credit: Wouter IJzerman / Morocco World News.
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