Ilemchan — The confederation and its sections

Hart describes them as concentrated in the Saghro, with elements in the Draa, “in some respects the most noteworthy” of the Aït Atta clans; they consider themselves the major clan of the country (1984, pp. 21, 30). In the Saghro they own the storehouse qasbas of Miqquebbi and Igherm n'Ilemchan, where only guardians live (Beaurpère). Their collective pasture, the agudal n-Ilimshan south of the Tizi n'Ilisi pass, is shared with the Ihansalen according to a fixed calendar (Hart). Hart reports that once all the Aït Atta ganged up against them, in a war of “seven years”, a figure he considers suspect (p. 117). Assou Oubasslam and his brother Basso, of the Aït Bu Tghuratin lineage, were their leaders in 1930-1933; other Ilemchan, those of the Dadès, served the same year in the auxiliary harkas.

Assisted translation, not validated

Sections and lineages

Aït Bounou
Aït Maarir

Beaurpère (lieutenant) (1931), tableau du khoms des Aït Ouahlim (PDF p. 73)

Notables

Assou Oubasslam“Sheikh of the Ilemchan” in 1930; leader of the defence of the Saghro in 1933.Spillmann (2007), trad. p. 33, 69, 113 (orig. p. 39, 84, 141)
Basso ou BaslamAssou's brother; Spillmann names the two brothers as leaders of the Ilemchan of the Todgha in 1933.Spillmann (2007), trad. p. 113 (orig. p. 141)

Classifications according to the sources

Tribe of the Aït Zemro grouping.Beaurpère (lieutenant) (1931), tableau du khoms
Associated with the Ignaouen in one of the three “thirds” of the Aït Ouahlim.Spillmann (2007), trad. p. 67 (orig. p. 82)

Documented figures

Images and documents

Images linked to this component through a place or a person connected with it: they do not necessarily depict it.

Head-and-shoulders portrait of a bearded man with a stern gaze, his head covered by a light-coloured hood. — PortraitHasso ou Ba Selem (Assou Oubasslam), portrait published by J. Robichez (1946)Prise de vue non datée (le catalogue situe les photographies du livre en 1937-1939) ; publication 1946J. Robichez, Maroc central (Arthaud, 1946) ; fichier fourni par le titulaire du projetProbable attribution— Identification based on a published or institutional source, without independent confirmation.

A French general officer, seen from behind, kepi embroidered with oak leaves, shakes hands with a bearded man in a burnous holding a staff; turbaned men stand around. — Historical photograph“Meeting between General Huré and Assou Oubasslam”Notice contradictoire : « 1933 » dans la description, « 1937-08-25 » dans le champ dateWikimedia Commons (image reprise d'un article de Yabiladi)Uncertain attribution— Provenance, date or subject not established: read with the reservations in the record.

A crowd in light-coloured clothes on a market square in front of an arcaded building; a few tents. — Historical photographTinerhir, the souk (postcard, 1930s according to its Flickr posting)« c 1930s » (titre de la publication Flickr ; carte non datée par son éditeur)Carte postale publiée sur Flickr, via Wikimedia CommonsUncertain attribution— Provenance, date or subject not established: read with the reservations in the record.

A path through a palm grove below cliffs; a few people and a donkey beside a stream. — Historical photograph“Spring of the sacred fish”, Todgha valley (1955)1955Nationaal Museum van Wereldculturen (Tropenmuseum, Amsterdam)Probable attribution— Identification based on a published or institutional source, without independent confirmation.

A man walks along a track at the bottom of a narrow gorge, followed by a few cattle. — Historical photographMan with cattle, Todgha valley (1955)1955Nationaal Museum van Wereldculturen (Tropenmuseum, Amsterdam)Probable attribution— Identification based on a published or institutional source, without independent confirmation.

Dense vegetation and palm trees, a few houses in the background. — Historical photographOasis near Tinghir, Todgha valley (1982)1982Nationaal Museum van Wereldculturen (Tropenmuseum, Amsterdam)

To be documentedThe sources consulted say nothing yet about: relations with other groups ; dated landmarks.

Sources — 3 sources cited · 3 independent documentary line(s)

Hart, 1984 — p. 21, 30, 59, 117, 176, 180Excerpts consulted · Academic research
Beaurpère (lieutenant), 1931 — p. 264 ; tableau du khomsExcerpts consulted · Colonial military
Spillmann et al., 2007 — trad. p. 33, 67-69, 112-114Excerpts consulted · Colonial military