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Doha – In a remarkable discovery, researchers have uncovered a vast trove of indigenous Amazigh legal contracts, known as “arraten,” in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco.
The documents, numbering in the hundreds of thousands, span a period of approximately 400 years and provide an unprecedented window into the social, economic, and legal landscape of Amazigh communities.
The discovery was made by antique dealer Hamza Elbahraoui and former professor Igor Kliakhandler during their exploration of the remote mountain range.
The researchers stumbled upon the arraten manuscripts in various states of preservation, scattered in abandoned chambers of ancient granary fortresses called “agadirs.”
Agadirs, which dot the Atlas Mountains, served as communal storage spaces for Amazigh families. Each agadir contains numerous chambers, with some housing up to 300 cellars.
The researchers estimate that the Atlas Mountains are home to between 25,000 and 100,000 such chambers, of which they explored a mere 1-2%.
The arraten documents were found recorded on both wood and paper. Wooden tablets, crafted from locally sourced argan trees, make up the majority of the discovered manuscripts.
The researchers conservatively estimate that at least 100,000 wooden arraten exist, with the number potentially reaching 500,000. Additionally, between 40,000 and 150,000 paper arraten were likely produced.
Analysis of the arraten texts revealed that they serve as legal contracts or deeds, covering a wide range of matters such as property transactions, marriage arrangements, loans, inheritance, and intertribal agreements.
The discovery is remarkable, as the documents provide valuable insights into the functioning of Amazigh society and the role of customary law.
Despite the cultural and historical significance of the arraten, the manuscripts have remained largely unknown and understudied.
Factors such as the marginalization of Amazigh communities and the dominance of Pan-Arabic narratives in post-colonial North Africa have contributed to the neglect of this heritage.
The researchers emphasize the urgent need for preservation and study of the arraten documents. Many of the manuscripts are at risk of decay due to exposure to the elements and improper storage.
The digitization of the researchers’ private collection of over 4,000 arraten is currently underway, with plans to make the digital archive available to the public in the future.
The discovery of the arraten manuscripts represents a milestone in Amazigh studies and has the potential to reshape the understanding of the region’s history and cultural heritage.
As researchers note, “Written records constitute an indispensable part of self-awareness of any ethnicity, nationality, or nation. […] We believe that the recovery of the Amazigh language, renaissance of culture, and historical memories of Amazigh people will reclaim all their pertinent written records.”
The researchers hope that their findings will spur local and international efforts to preserve and study the arraten documents, ensuring that this invaluable cultural treasure is not lost to the ravages of time.
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