Old Double Pair Berber Bracelets – Asbia’ Iquorain – Ait Atta Tribe – Morocco

Period: Early to mid-20th century
Material: Tribal metal
Weight: 1,576.4 g (55.6 oz)
Dimensions:

• Pair with tips: Width 11.5 cm (4.53″) × Height 4.0 cm (1.57″); Inner diameter 5.9 cm (2.32″)
• Other pair: Width 8.5 cm (3.35″) × Height 3.5 cm (1.38″); Inner diameter 6.1 cm (2.40″)

These imposing bracelets, known as Asbia’ Iquorain, were originally worn by women of the Ait Atta tribe as both adornment and defense during raids. Their robust form and weight reflect their dual role as jewelry and protective weapon.

The Ait Atta (Tamazight: ⴰⵢⵜ ⵄⴻⵟⵟⴰ) are a major Berber tribal confederation from southeastern Morocco. Traditionally divided into “five fifths” (khams khmas), they trace their lineage to the forty sons of their ancestor Dadda Atta. These groups include Ayt Wallal, Ayt Wahlim, Ayt Isful, Ayt Yazza, and Ayt Unbgi. Emerging as a political entity in the Jbel Saghro region during the 16th century, the Ait Atta expanded north and south, controlling 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.

References for similar examples:
– A World of Bracelets, Anne Van Cutsem, p. 21
– Africa Adorned, Angela Fisher, p. 262
– Bijoux du Maroc, Jacques & Marie-Rose Rabaté, p. 129

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