An earthen village beside the wadi
Tagmoute (also spelt Tagmout) stretches along the wadi, between the gardens and the arid slopes of the Siroua massif. Its people are Chleuh, Berbers who speak Tashelhit, the Amazigh language of south-western Morocco.
The houses are built of pisé, rammed earth that keeps them cool in summer. The alleys wind between them up to the communal granary, the agadir, which overlooks the village: this is where the harvests were once kept safe. The village also has an old fortified house, the Alberj Ihoukarn kasbah.
The marabout of Lalla Myriam
The marabout of Lalla Myriam is topped with a white dome edged in pink. A marabout is the tomb of a holy man or woman, revered by the villagers: it is a place of prayer and contemplation. Admire it from the outside, and ask before photographing it up close.
A village that gets organised: the association
Tagmoute has an active village association. It is happy to welcome visitors, show them around the douar and tell them about what it has achieved and what it is planning. Ask Houcine for the leaflet describing its work for the development of the village.
Community life revolves around the village assembly, the women's centre with its rug-making and wool-weaving workshops, a women's cooperative that distils aromatic plants (wormwood, lavender, thyme…), the primary school and a literacy class for women. The blacksmith and the weavers, who sell their rugs at the souk, keep local crafts alive.
Life through the seasons
Daily life follows the work in the fields. In autumn, during the harvest, saffron is picked at daybreak, then the stigmas are separated from the flowers at home: see our page on Taliouine saffron. Around the guesthouse, the family farm (sheep, rabbits, vegetable garden) is open to visit during your stay.
Visiting the village respectfully
- Always ask before photographing someone, especially women and children.
- Wear clothes that cover your shoulders and knees.
- Rather than giving sweets or money to children, support the association's projects.
- Buy directly from the craftswomen and producers: ask Houcine where to find them.
- A “salam” or an “azul” when you arrive always goes down well.
To explore further: hikes in the Siroua start from the village, and you will find more ideas on our page things to do around Taliouine.