#M'Zab

[postcard-from-the-past]

A Mozabite man - Berber tribe living in the M'zab region of northern Sahara desert, Algeria

French vintage postcard

[beautifultimes-beautifulplaces]

M'zab Valley, Algeria

[formlab]

M'Zab Valley

[archiplusa]

M'Zab Valley

A traditional human habitat, created in the 10th century by the Ibadites around their five ksour (fortified cities), has been preserved intact in the M’Zab valley. Simple, functional and perfectly adapted to the environment, the architecture of M’Zab was designed for community living, while respecting the structure of the family. It is a source of inspiration for today’s urban planners.

Outstanding universal value

Located 600 km south of Algiers, in the heart of the Saharan desert, the five ksour (fortified villages) of the M'Zab Valley form an extraordinary homogeneous ensemble, the mark of a sedentary, urban civilization in the desert, the bearer of an original culture which, through its own genius, has managed to preserve its cohesion over the centuries. Consisting of the ksour and palm groves of El-Atteuf, Bounoura, Melika, Ghardaïa and Béni-Isguen (founded between 1012 and 1350), the M'Zab Valley has retained virtually the same settlement pattern and construction techniques since the 11th century, dictated as much by a specific social and cultural context as by the need to adapt to a hostile environment.

Each of these miniature walled cities is dominated by a mosque whose minaret acts as a watchtower. The mosque was conceived as a fortress, the last bastion of resistance in the event of siege, and included an arsenal and a grain silo. Around this building, essential to community life, are houses arranged in concentric circles up to the rampart. Each house constitutes a fixed cubic cell, illustrating an egalitarian social organization based on respect for the family structure, whose intimacy and autonomy it strives to preserve. At the beginning of the first millennium, the Ibadites used local materials to create a vernacular architecture in the M'Zab that, thanks to its perfect adaptation to the environment and the simplicity of its forms, continues to serve as an example and lesson for contemporary architecture and town planning.

(more)

[viagginterstellari]

Children accompanying us during a visit of their village - M'zab Valley, 2022

[sissa-arrows]

That french show "j'irai dormir chez vous- Algérie" received so much (negative) attention, when they posted the teaser it was already the most number of views the show had gotten, but a lot of people expressed their deception after watching the whole thing and many speculated the episode was made specifically to tarnish Dzayer's image.

Antoine had been to Kabylie and Ghardaïa , hadn't met police there, when he went to our Sahara close to the borders he was asked to have a local guide, he refused so instead of kicking him out, the police proposed that a civil followed him from afar to ensure his safety , he did not refuse, he then wanted to get a permission to adventure outside of the city that was refused.

The security agents had all been dressed in civil and calmly talked to him, they shouldn't have been filmed yet he filmed them, they explained that they weren't worried about the city or its lovely people, that it was safe but they wanted to be extra safe, the country is just opening up to tourism and receiving so much hate, it also has troubled borders, so while it is safe tourists (even Algerian) need to be accompagnied with a guide in the Sahara, a lost or dead journalist would not do good to the country's image.

With all that in mind, Antoine really said: oh i get it now you want to keep me safe to give Algeria a good image, no problem i'll give you a completely different reason to worry. And it become a subject of trends between all those journalists outside who has a job to criticize everything relateed to the country, they need to earn money after all.

All of this doesn't bother me, French ppl who come here have the tendency to bring out the worst in us, we are used to it, the police should have been more subtle or told him off right off the bat, altho you do imagine that they'd still be criticied no matter what (if they didn't care and something bad happened , if they were more stern, or laid back) But the realiy is that this whole fuss is made because a white man ws stopped in a third world country.

It's easy to reverse the situation, if i, an Algerian had been to France to film an emission and the police stopped me from going to a certain place alone, worried about my safety, and filmed it, i would be the one criticized for being irresponsible for not cooperating. But when a white man does it, he he is denouncing corruption and toxic behavior , while he sounds objectively completely insane (not to mention offensive with his offhanded comments on M'zab women and the Kabylie status) Even though we all know how are people can be treated aboard, it is always assumed it is our fault, but never the fault of the more responsible white man on backwarded countries.

Also just one thing, the security wasn't aware he was a jornalist at first and Algerians are also stopped when they want to wonder alone in the desert, it doesn't have to do with nationality, although yes french channels are usually kept abay, it doesn't have to do with colonialism as much as their more recent behavior . Also there has been a case of a european tourist dying in the desert last year, i assume security was blamed then.

(sorry for info dumping ;-; the previous anon made me think, i didn't know where to put this)

The first time I wandered alone in the Sahara with my grandparents we wanted to cross the border with Mali, we had the paperwork and all but the border agents said no. They said only my grandpa could cross the border but not my grandma or me. The feminist inside me got angry and then the border agent was like “My sister, the Malian authorities told us there was potential terrorists near the border and that it wasn’t safe for women right now that you could get kidnapped. So sit down I’m not letting you cross the border.” The feminist inside me immediately calmed down 😂

But yeah all of that to say that if he was in the Sahara it 100% makes sense that the authorities were watching over him. Some places are protected too and only Kel Tamasheq/Touareg can go there. There’s also the area around Tindouf and the border with Western Sahara…

Anyway thank you for all the informations!!

[chris-kud]

Best Places to Visit

Best Time to Visit Libya

Despite the fact that Libya is a very large country, it has two different climates. The coastal regions are relatively mild and moderated by the Mediterranean Sea, whereas the desert regions are quite harsh.

The Mediterranean coastline is known for its hot summers, while the desert is known for its cold nights. The best time to visit Libya is during the spring and autumn. These seasons have the best weather conditions and are cheaper than the peak holiday season.

If you are going to visit the desert regions, make sure you have plenty of water to drink. You will also need to explore the area with a guide.

The Mediterranean coast is known for its hot summers and mild winters. The coastline has black asphalt-like lumps, caused by oil tankers cruising the Mediterranean. There are also oil mines in some of the desert regions. These mines were left over from the World War Two. They are only dangerous if stepped on, but they can damage vehicles.

Travelers are encouraged to avoid areas near the borders with Sudan and Chad, as well as military sites. The area around Sabratha and the coast of the Gulf of Benghazi have been the site of an assassination campaign targeting foreigners.

Travelers are advised to share their itinerary with the security department before arriving. They should also avoid areas around oil extraction sites, as well as military installations.

Best Time to Visit Algeria

Whether you are looking for cheap flights to Algeria, or you want to plan your holiday in Algeria, one of the most important factors to consider is the climate. Algeria has two distinct climate zones. The northern region has a Mediterranean type climate, while the southern area is dry and desert-like.

The climate of Algeria is very diverse, and the best time to visit Algeria will vary according to your interests. For example, the northern region experiences mild winters, while the southern area is very hot and dry. The Sahara area features a desert climate, and the temperatures there can vary by as much as 45degC during the day, and 5degC at night.

Algeria is a country full of fascinating cultures, and the history of the country has been shaped by several empires, including those of the Ottomans and the French. The country has remnants of these civilizations, such as the Neo-Byzantine basilica in the Casbah quarter of Algiers, which dates back to the French colonial era.

Depending on your interests, the best time to visit Algeria is from October to February. If you're interested in visiting the Sahara desert, however, you'll want to go during the winter months.

Algeria's climate has been shaped by various empires, and the country's history is filled with exciting surprises. You can find historical sites such as the ruins of the ancient Roman empire in the seaside town of Tipaza, as well as a mesmerizing traditional 10th century village in M'zab.

Best Time to Visit India

Visiting India can be a very rewarding experience. The country's diverse climate means there are plenty of weather options to choose from.

There are four main seasons in India, namely summer, winter, monsoon and autumn. The weather in each season is slightly different. The best time to visit India depends on your interests and preferences.

Summer in India is a very warm season. Temperatures are high, with the mercury averaging about 35 degrees Celsius. These temperatures can rise to more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit in the north. Fortunately, India's beaches are generally very pleasant at this time of year, with warm, sunny days.

If you are looking for a more comfortable climate, the best time to visit India is in the autumn or winter. In the winter, temperatures are as cold as 9 degrees Celsius, and snowfall is common. This time of year is also great for hiking and visiting religious temples.

While summer in India can be warm and humid, the rains are torrential. This can make travel difficult, particularly for those who live in the south. Luckily, this season offers a chance to see the country's natural beauty at its most gorgeous.

The monsoon season lasts from June through September. This is a time of year when many tourist options are shut down, but onlookers are often welcome to attend local festivals. In addition, India's religious festivals are held during this time of year.

Best Time to Visit Japan

Choosing the best time to visit Japan is an important decision. Whether you're traveling with family, friends or by yourself, there are several factors to consider, such as weather, festivals and events.

In the summer, Japan is hot and humid. Generally speaking, July and August are the hottest months. This is a good time to take advantage of the beach, hike in national parks or water sports. Despite the hot temperatures, Japan has incredible hot springs and world-class ski slopes.

Winter is also a great time to visit Japan. The snowy season provides the best skiing in the world. The days are shorter, but there is still plenty to do.

Fall is a great time to see Japan's beautiful autumn foliage. The leaves turn brilliant shades of red, orange and gold. There are a lot of festivals and events throughout the country.

In February, humpback whales can be seen off the coast of Japan. This is also the time of year when plum blossoms start to bloom. These flowers are often overlooked by tourists, but are very pretty and offer a unique contrast to the scenery.

There are also several national holidays, which may influence your travel plans. For example, New Year's Eve is a big event in Japan. Most shrines and temples stay open during this time.

Golden Week is a series of holidays that runs from late April through early May. Locals in Japan take advantage of the week to travel around the country. This is a great time to see Japan without the crowds.

[mydearalgeria]

The city of Ghardaïa, Algeria. @facehunter

[vexalgerie]

M’ZAB FLAG

[sahljournal]

M’zab, Algeria.

[basquiatwowo]

Hotel M'Zab, Ghardaïa, Algeria, Fernand Pouillon, 1970

[gacougnol]

Henriette Grindat

In the M'zab

Algeria, 1952

[dhimd]

Ghardaia, M'Zab Valley, Algeria,,

[equatorjournal]

Manuelle Roche, Le M'Zab, 1976. From the book "Le M'Zab, Architecture Ibadite en Algérie", 1978. "Sous un ciel de feu, dans une vallée aride du sahara algérien, le m'zab, une architecture toute d'harmonie et de sobriété, a séduit les architectes modernes, en particulier le corbusier. Cinq villes à l'échelle de l'homme, construites successivement en l'espace de cinquante années, il y a dix siècles..." https://www.instagram.com/p/CGX_EBGhNj8/?igshid=2urrs97px8x6

[tasteforlife]

by ALTASENSIBILIDAD on Flickr.Street in Ghardaïa, capital of the Beni M'Zab culture, Algeria.

[philosibies]

Hotel M'Zab, Ghardaïa, Algeria, designed by Fernand Pouillon, 1972 via /r/ArchitecturePorn https://www.reddit.com/r/ArchitecturePorn/comments/ezqvfk/hotel_mzab_gharda%C3%AFa_algeria_designed_by_fernand/?utm_source=ifttt