Old Berber Head Adornment – Ait Atta Tribe – Jbel Saghro Region, Morocco – RARE

Mid-20th century or earlier. Metal. Length: 63.3 cm (24.92″); Weight: 134.0 g (4.73 oz). Rare complete piece in perfect condition.

The Ait Atta (Tamazight: ⴰⵢⵜ ⵄⴻⵟⵟⴰ) are a major Berber tribal confederation from southeastern Morocco. Traditionally, they are divided into “five fifths” (khams khmas), said to descend from the forty sons of their common ancestor, Dadda Atta. In Tamazight, “Aït” means “people of.” These five groups are the Ayt Wallal, Ayt Wahlim, Ayt Isful, Ayt Yazza, and Ayt Unbgi.

The Ait Atta emerged as a political entity in the Jbel Saghro region during the 16th century, establishing their traditional capital at Iɣerm Amazdar. Over time, they expanded northward, becoming rivals of the Ait Yafelman, and later southward, gaining control of oases in Tafilalt and along the Draa River. By the 19th century, their raids reached as far as Touat in present-day Algeria. They resisted French penetration into Morocco until 1933.

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