AIT ATTA – OUR HISTORY.
Our desert camp is named the Atta Desert Camp and we hear you ask “Why the name Atta”?? What does that mean?”
Next question – “why is it Ait?”
Ait literally means the people/family (of).
The Atta people are members of a large Berber tribal group from south-eastern Morocco, descended from the sons of their common ancestor, Dadda Atta. With the founder bearing the name “Atta” and “Ait” meaning people/family, we are the Atta family. Some thoughts are the Ait Atta originated from the Sahara but this has been largely disproved although some tribes may have family members with inherited Saharan origin.
Ait Atta history points to their origin being in the rugged Jbel Saghro mountain range. From roaming shepherds, they evolved to more settled communities but never lost their roots of proud beliefs, family, tribal bonds and strong resilience against those who would attempt to rule them; or the harsh environments they call home. They became a political force in the 16th Century, continuing to be troublesome to newly established authorities into the 20th Century in and around the Jebel Saghro region. They clashed with surrounding and opposing tribes, and fought the French with fierce resistance from 1899 until a compromise was reached prior to 1956 and Moroccan independence.
Our desert camp is named in honour of the long and proud contribution of our ancestors to the culture, history and development of southern Morocco as we celebrate it today. Our team are drawn from the south, are Berber, and working in our desert camp supports their families to better provide health, education and resilience with dignified and gainful employment, and upskilling for those who want it.
These fearless nomads resisted colonization while mastering survival in the Sahara—a spirit that inspires our camp’s ethos of adventure with integrity.
Marhaba – Welcome to our home!