Cop27: Morocco's last nomadic Amazigh struggle with climate change - in pictures

Their ancient lifestyle has become impossible to sustain amid ever more intense droughts

Amazigh Ida Ouchaali at an encampment near the village of Amellagou, where some of the last people to keep Morocco's nomadic traditions reside. They say their ancient lifestyle has become impossible to sustain as climate change brings ever more intense droughts. All photos: AFP

Amazigh Ida Ouchaali belongs to a community of about 25,000 people at the last census in 2014. Its numbers are down by two-thirds in a decade.

Amazigh tents near the village of Amellagou in Morocco. Ida Ouchaali's tribe spent centuries roaming the country to find food for their animals, but their way of life is steadily disappearing. Ms Ouchaali says she is 'exhausted' by her fight for survival.

Amazigh women in Amellagou carry out their daily chores.

An Amazigh man poses for a picture next to a herd of sheep near the village of Amellagou. Water for livestock is hard to find and the harsh climate threatens his way of life.

Amazigh families at Amellagou worry about the future of their children. One teenager says the young want to 'turn the page on nomadism'.

Amazigh Moha Ouchaali is in his 50s. 'Everything has changed,' he says. 'I don't recognise myself anymore in the world of today.'

An Amazigh boy and his belongings in the Moroccan desert.

Children of Amazigh families grow up in a shrinking community. At one time there were nearly 500 tents around the village of Amellagou but now there are less than a tenth of that.

Each generation of Amazigh face social and economic changes that make their lives more difficult. Laws passed by Morocco that would defend the nomadic way are simply ignored by other people, they say.

Amazigh sheltering at Amellagou say they recall a time when nomadic people were welcomed by settled communities but such hospitality is largely gone.

Driss Skounti says he has little hope for the future. 'Nomadic life has an identity and a tradition steeped in history, but is doomed to disappear within 10 years.'

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