Laâzib: A dry stone architectural expression Case of the Laâzibs on the Yagour Plateau in the High Atlas of Morocco
HRACHERRASS Loubna
Abstract. The Moroccan mountains are filled with stone constructions that showcase skills and construction techniques in harmony with the natural environment and human ways of life. Rarely studied by researchers, these architectural expressions in stone, now considered vernacular heritage, deserve to be explored and studied to uncover their uniqueness and specificities. Among these constructions is the laâzib, a form of rural dwelling characteristic of the high Atlas Mountains of Morocco. True imprints of humans on their territory, built by and for transhumance and serving both as a dwelling and a sheepfold, laâzib embody centuries-old expertise in dry stone construction Exploring this architectural expression in terms of construction methods, ways of life, and usage will be carried out through the study of the laâzibs located on the Yagour plateau, a pastoral area of over 70 km², perched between 1,900 and 2,700 meters above sea level in the High Atlas Mountains, south of Marrakech. A true crossroads for shepherds, Yagour annually hosts nearly 7,000 people from the surrounding villages and is home to several laâzibs. This article aims to explore one of the oldest examples of traditional rural dry-stone buildings in Morocco, deeply rooted in a natural environment characterized by its harshness, exceptional management system, and construction techniques infused with the genius of the place.
Keywords
Stone Construction, Laâzib, Mountain, Shelter, Habitat
Published online 1/10/2025, 11 pages
Copyright © 2025 by the author(s)
Published under license by Materials Research Forum LLC., Millersville PA, USA
Citation: HRACHERRASS Loubna, Laâzib: A dry stone architectural expression Case of the Laâzibs on the Yagour Plateau in the High Atlas of Morocco, Materials Research Proceedings, Vol. 47, pp 48-58, 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21741/9781644903391-6
The article was published as article 6 of the book Vernacular Architecture
Content from this work may be used under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 license. Any further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the title of the work, journal citation and DOI.
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