SIJILMASA REDISCOVERED: THE BURIED CAPITAL OF TRANS-SAHARAN TRADE AND THE AMAZIGH LEGACY:
Beneath the palm groves and desert sands of the Tafilalt oasis in southeastern Morocco lie the remains of Sijilmasa, an ancient city that once stood as a major hub of trans-Saharan trade. Established in the mid-8th century CE, Sijilmasa flourished for centuries as the main gateway between North Africa and sub-Saharan Africa, contributing significantly to the cultural and economic fabric of the Amazigh civilization and the broader Sahara region.
Strategically located along the Ziz River, the city became the northern terminus of caravan routes linking Morocco with the gold-rich kingdoms of the Sahel, including Ghana and Mali. Caravans carried gold, salt, ivory, and other goods across the harsh desert terrain, and Sijilmasa thrived as a commercial, agricultural, and cultural center.
The Amazigh people, indigenous to North Africa, played a fundamental role in the establishment and operation of this trade network. Their expertise in desert survival, camel caravanning, and water management was instrumental in the city’s success. In particular, their engineering of khettaras—underground irrigation tunnels that transported water from the Atlas foothills to the oases—sustained agricultural life in the Tafilalt and supported the dense population of Sijilmasa.
Historical geographers and travelers, such as Ibn Hawqal and Leo Africanus, wrote about Sijilmasa as a wealthy and influential city. Archaeological evidence reveals traces of sophisticated urban infrastructure: defensive walls, irrigation canals, pottery workshops, and markets. The city’s design and function reflected centuries of indigenous knowledge adapted to desert life.
Despite its strength, Sijilmasa declined after the 14th century due to a combination of factors: internal conflicts, environmental pressures, and the gradual shift in trade routes toward the Atlantic coast. Over time, the city was abandoned, and the desert slowly reclaimed its stones and stories.
Today, near the modern town of Rissani, archaeological excavations have brought parts of ancient Sijilmasa back to light. Researchers from Moroccan and international institutions have unearthed coins, ceramics, and foundations that testify to the city’s once-thriving economy and Amazigh legacy.
Sijilmasa is more than a forgotten trade post—it is a symbol of the ingenuity, adaptability, and influence of Amazigh society in North Africa’s pre-modern history. The city’s memory lives on in the oral traditions of the Tafilalt region, and its physical remains invite reflection on how ancient communities harmonized with their environment to create sustainable, prosperous societies.
At Morocco Ambience Tours, we celebrate these silent legacies. A visit to the region offers more than sightseeing—it offers connection to a chapter of North African history where the desert was not an obstacle, but a bridge, shaped by the hands and wisdom of its native people.
Reliable References & Suggested Sources:
- T. Lewicki, The Role of the Sahara and Saharians in Relationships Between North and South – in UNESCO’s General History of Africa (Vol. II)
- S. Norris, Sijilmasa and Trans-Saharan Trade, in The Journal of North African Studies
- E. Eustache, La ville de Sijilmassa, étude historique et archéologique (Bulletin Archéologique du Maroc)
- M. Abitbol, Les Juifs d’Afrique du Nord sous Vichy – for broader historical context of the Tafilalt
- Oral traditions collected by the Moroccan Ministry of Culture and Amazigh heritage associations in the Errachidia region.
