In Errachidia you are at Home.

By: Ait Arab Aissa | Maasla Abdelhamid

Errachidia is one of the most extraordinary regions in Morocco. It is situated in the south east of the country where many people of different cultures, religions, races, tribes and ethnics lived together in harmony to constitute the best cradle of tolerance and peace.

Many people from different origins co-existed in the region for ages. There were Berber, Arabs, Africans, Andalusians and others living together to form a colourful picture of tolerance and acceptance of the other. There were Jews, Muslims and lately some Christians but the Jews and Muslims co-existed side by side in life and in death as well: There still are Jews cemeteries scattered all along the ziz valley in Errachidia, Erfoud and Rissani but there are some graveyards in "Rich", “Assrir –Tinejdad” and in “Boudnib” and everywhere throughout the province up to the “Ait H’didou” tribes in the Atlas mountains. This mixture of races and cultures makes it possible to enrich the region’s cultures, folklores, rituals, and festivities.

The Dynasties that ruled over Morocco throughout the different phases of history were very keen on keeping this diversity prosper so as people acquire broad open minds. Consequently nowadays, the people of the region are very understanding and generous with foreigners coming from all nationalities. They easily accept the others and quickly make them feel as if they are at home. This is not a new issue for them; they are used to recognize and live with people from different origins. Through this they have formed what the Americans would call “the crucible” or "the melting pot".
Reviewed and adapted by Mr. Abdessalami
Academic Year 2004 / 2005