Iherir

Terres Touareg

Iherir, a lush oasis in the heart of the Algerian Sahara

Located in the wilaya of Djanet, around 150 km north-west of Djanet, Iherir is an oasis nestling in a valley surrounded by high cliffs. A veritable haven in the heart of the Algerian Sahara,
this oasis is fed by a perennial wadi, offering a unique setting where nature and history meet.

An exceptional natural and historical site

Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982 and recognised as a Man and Biosphere Reserve in 1986, Iherir is a real pearl of the Tassili n’Ajjer. It is the region’s only truly permanent waterhole, and was designated a Wetland of International Importance by the Ramsar Convention in 2001.

The landscapes of the Iherir valley are spectacular: wadis, gueltas and lush vegetation contrast with the arid immensity of the desert. This abundance of water is home to exceptional flora and fauna, attracting both domestic animals and wildlife.

A prosperous oasis thanks to agriculture and livestock

Since Neolithic times, the Tuaregs have used this oasis to develop agricultural and pastoral activities. The local economy is based mainly on :

  • Growing dates, figs, grapes and wheat, thanks to the natural irrigation provided by underground springs.
  • Goat and camel farming, an essential resource for the local population.
  • Fishing, made possible by the oasis’ permanent pools.

This ancestral way of life bears witness to the remarkable adaptation of the Tuareg people to the extreme conditions of the Algerian Sahara.

A precious archaeological heritage

The area around Iherir is also rich in cave paintings, evidence of the region’s prehistoric past. On the neighbouring Tadjelahine plateau, the frescoes of Eheren and Tahilahi, dating from 4500 BC, depict scenes of life and fauna that have now disappeared from the Sahara. These protected works offer a fascinating insight into the human presence in the region over thousands of years.

Unique traditional architecture

In summer, the inhabitants of Iherir move to the oasis to farm and live in traditional dwellings called ‘ikebran’ (or ‘zeriba’ in Arabic), reed huts. But the most distinctive feature of local architecture is the stone huts known as “ekaber”.

These round constructions have dry stone walls 1.50 to 1.70 m high, allowing air to circulate for natural ventilation. The conical roof, supported by a central palm trunk pillar, is made of tamarisk and castor branches, covered with typha (a local plant). A courtyard precedes the entrance, serving as a living space where daily activities are organised.

More than just an oasis, Iherir is a veritable jewel of the Algerian Sahara, where nature, history and Tuareg culture meet. Its wealth of water, biodiversity and exceptional heritage make it a unique place,
both a refuge for human beings and a sanctuary for the desert’s flora and fauna.A precious archaeological heritage

Iherir, a lush oasis in the heart of the Algerian Sahara
Iherir, a lush oasis in the heart of the Algerian Sahara
Iherir, a lush oasis in the heart of the Algerian Sahara
Terres Touareg
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