Rabat – The Inzerki apiary in the Souss-Massa region 82 kilometers north of Agadir is the largest traditional collective apiary, or bee yard, in the world.
In the town of Argana stands Taddart Ugerram (the Saint’s apiary), one of the most visited sites on Morocco’s “honey route.”
Nearly 1,000 meters tall, the apiary is made of mud, wood, palm, and braided reeds. Having been restored several times since its construction in 1850, the apiary is an emblem of traditional knowledge in the region.
The population living around the apiary is only in the hundreds, and most of them are beekeepers. The collective apiary belongs to around 250 holders who each possess 15 to 20 hives within the massive structure, similar to how collective granaries hold the harvests of multiple farmers.
With at least 3,700 hives, the Inzerki apiary welcomes tens of thousands of bees. The bees are a North African subspecies of the Saharan yellow bee.
The bees play a key role in pollinating the area’s rich and varied biodiversity, which includes argan, juniper, holm oak, acacia, lavender, thyme, almond, cactus, orange blossom, and various medicinal plants. In particular, the apiary has allowed the local population to harvest high-quality thyme and honey.
The bees are also the primary sustainers of the surrounding argan tree groves. The argan tree and argan production are socially, culturally, and economically significant in Morocco especially among indigenous Amazigh populations.
Devastating floods in 1990 and 1996 significantly damaged the formidable structure. However, support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and UNESCO in 2006 restored Inzerki’s apiary as part of Morocco’s rural tourism development initiatives. The Inzerki apiary is also supported by the kingdom’s Green Morocco Plan.
Tourists can visit Argana and the surrounding villages year-round.
In the spring and summer, a hidden gorge known as Paradise Valley in the town of Imouzzer Ida Ou Tanane boasts oleander, palms, and natural swimming pools.
Stalls along the “honey route,” which traverses several villages, sell local products such as argan oil, organic honey, and Moroccan amlou, a sweet and nutty mixture of argan oil, almonds, and honey.
Almond trees blossom in February and March, transforming the landscape into pale shades of cream and rose.
Each year in July and August, the Imouzzer Honey Festival promotes local products through an array of spring, summer, and fall honey blends. Tourists can sample the products and visit women’s honey and argan collectives, embark on sustainable tours through the region, and visit the apiary itself.
The olive oil harvest begins in November. Harvesters shake the olives from the tree and press them into oil in the village.
With its rich biodiversity and tangible cultural heritage, the Inzerki apiary and its surrounding villages are a must-see for visitors interested in exploring Morocco’s rural traditions.
