O.A.T. travelers break bread with a nomadic family in the Sahara Desert during Morocco Sahara Odyssey.
For travelers to the Sahara, the remoteness of the desert adds to the magic of the experience. For families who call the desert home, the desolate landscape poses unique challenges in their daily lives.
To better understand life in the desert, O.A.T.’s regional associates in Morocco have identified several nomadic families who graciously welcome travelers into their homes—an experience exclusive to O.A.T. Identifying these families was no easy feat. We spoke with Aziz Ben Addi, our Program Coordinator in Morocco, to learn more.
Inside Scoop: What tribes do the nomadic families belong to?
Aziz Ben Addi: The families we visit come from different backgrounds, and many of them are unsure of their exact tribal origins. The nomadic family in the desert belongs to the Ait Atta tribe. In Ouarzazate, the families are from Ait Ouazgid and Ait Khabbach tribes.
IS: How often do the families move their homes?
ABA: The nomads have reduced the number of times they relocate from three to once a year due to climate change and the decreasing interest of the new generation in continuing the nomadic lifestyle.
IS: How long have we been visiting nomadic families? Do you remember how the idea first came about?
IS: What were the challenges in identifying families willing to meet with travelers? Was there any distrust of outsiders at first?
ABA: The families we visit generally come from conservative cultures, so organizing home visits was definitely challenging. It was particularly difficult to bring groups of men and women into family spaces where everyday life is on display.
However, these families showed interest in the activity, engaging in deeper conversations about various aspects of life while avoiding topics that might offend them. Although some families initially felt a bit criticized by society, they later came to accept the visits.
IS: Do any members of the families now live and work in the city? Are the older nomads worried about their way of life disappearing?
IS: What other challenges do these families face in an increasingly modern era?
Climate Change: With reduced rainfall, snowfall, and grassland, families find it difficult to maintain a sustainable income, whether they rely on agriculture or livestock. Additionally, the advanced tools and techniques used by large-scale farmers create intense competition, further straining their resources.
Land Rights and Use: Rapid expansion of large farms, urban development, and industrial activities limit access to land for people in remote areas and villages. This is especially problematic for nomads who often do not own the land they use.
Social Integration: Some families view modernization negatively and struggle to balance the new generation's adoption of modern social systems with the preservation of their cultural identity.
Income Diversification: Many families lack diversified sources of income. As the modern world evolves, the need for varied income streams becomes essential for survival and economic stability.
Meet a nomadic family and learn about their disappearing way of life when you join O.A.T. for Morocco Sahara Odyssey.
