Searching for water underground and bringing it to the open air to irrigate gardens is known by more than twenty countries on all continents.
This system, known under the name of “foggaras” in Algeria, exists in the Saharan oases of Touat-Tidikelt.
For the communities living in these oases, these foggaras constitute more than an element of identity: it is about survival in the face of a difficult environment.
Irrigation by foggara is only viable with the presence of water meters or water workers (kiyal) who by their calculations distribute this vital asset fairly among the various owners.
In the near past, the water measurer was one of the best known and respected people in all major villages (ksour) and those who did not have one were forced to use the services of the nearest measurer.
What interests us here is mainly the knowledge that has been built up and transmitted around issues related to the sharing of these waters brought to the surface of the ground.
3 comments
Really need to be studied in university.
Fascinating to learn about this technology and the people powering it.
indeed, Algeria is a continent in size and content, keep looking at our publications under algerian algeria, algerian sahar and historu&heritage…you are most welcome.