Oasis Campus Ich & Figuig

TRADITIONAL TECHINIQUES

In the oasis, traditional construction techniques are still alive. You will learn construction techniques: dry stone and earth (adobe with and without mold); to make traditional oleander roofs and slabs; earth and lime plasters and tadelakt.

CULTURAL LANDSCAPE

The landscape and the territory will be key in this space of mutual learning. We will talk about the concept of Oasis as a cultural landscape;  of the architecture of the ksar and the building typologies; We will analyze the orchards and the palm grove. Visit to the Neolithic settlement of Dchira.

THE WORKSHOP

The OASIS CAMPUS workshop is part of the Terrachidia ONGD project, a commitment to the local development of small communities through the enhancement of their architectural and cultural heritage.  Under this general objective, the NGO Terrachidia has been working since 2022 in the Ich Oasis, in eastern Morocco. There we have worked on the recovery of its ksar (traditional town), rehabilitating its streets and unique buildings, of great historical, architectural and social value.

Ich is a small Berber oasis in the province of Figuig, Eastern region of Morocco, with a lush palm grove on the border with Algeria, which was a stop on the caravan routes until the end of the 19th century, and where life is possible thanks to the Ich river. , which begins at the foot of the settlement. It is located in a mountainous landscape, at 1,300m altitude. The luxuriance of its palm grove and the richness of its orchards make it a unique place, where the architecture of its ksar has been abandoned and whose neighbors want to recover. Highlights include its narrow streets, its old mosque and its whitewashed minaret, the troglodyte mosque and its marabout, as well as the configuration of orchards protected by high dry stone walls.

In this workshop we will immerse ourselves in the oasis habitat, where the intimate relationship between nature and culture gives rise to a sustainable, self-sufficient landscape in perfect balance with the environment, from which we can extract many learnings for the development challenges we face as a society. and as professionals.

We propose this Oasis Campus to respectful travelers, interested in their heritage, local culture and the possibilities they offer. The organized activities take into account the peculiarities and traditions of the region, and are tools for the preservation of both its cultural heritage and its natural heritage, in addition to being catalysts for the creation of employment in the area and contributing effectively and equitably. to increase the economic income of its inhabitants and to mitigate migration to the cities that, due to lack of work, has affected the people so hard in recent years.

We work with local associations, but in small towns where this fabric does not exist or is poorly consolidated, we speak directly with the most relevant people in the community. They themselves decide the hiring of the construction masters and workers, with whom we will work on a day-to-day basis and who will, at the same time, be the masters.

You will learn traditional construction techniques with earth and dry stone; traditional forgings and earth, lime or tadelakt plasters. You also participate in the execution of a real and useful project for the local population.

* OPTIONAL: One night in Figuig, (more info during at campus).

Do you want to know more?

Write to campus@terrachidia.es