Chiadma


Chiadma is a prominent tribal federation and geographic region in western Morocco, situated on the Atlantic coast between Safi and Essaouira. Historically and culturally, the Chiadma represent a "transition" group, formed by the assimilation of indigenous Masmuda Amazigh tribes with Maqil and Hilalian Arab tribes.

Etymology

The name Chiadma is of Arabic origin. It comes from the word shayḏ̣am or shayḏ̣amī with the plural shayāḏ̣ima which literally means "tall, big, corpulent, great, burly, young" and can be applied to people and animals like horses and camels. Ultimately, the name derives from the root √sh-ḏ̣-m In the colloquial dialect, it lost the diphthong /ay/ and the phoneme /ḏ̣/ became /ḍ/ resulting in the modern name. The name of the tribe became the toponym of the region.

Tribal Components

The federation is built upon several foundational subgroups that predate the Arab migrations:
  • The Regraga: Originally a confederation of thirteen Amazigh tribes. They are historically significant as the early propagators of Islam in the region and are central to the religious identity of the Chiadma.
  • The Heskala : An indigenous Amazigh fraction that was absorbed into the Chiadma administrative umbrella during the Saadian era.
  • The Meskala: A southern fraction that maintains strong cultural and linguistic links to the neighboring Haha tribes.

    Linguistic and Cultural Identity

While the Chiadma predominantly speak Moroccan Arabic, their dialect is categorized by linguists as having a heavy Tamazight substrate, particularly in the rural hinterlands between Essaouira and Safi.

Linguistic Features

The local dialect retains specific Amazigh vocabulary regarding agricultural and domestic life that is distinct from neighboring dialects:
  • Agricultural Terminology: Asdess, Agrour, and Azzoun.
  • Domestic Terms: Eddefa and Fartatto, and ''Lkanon''

    Customs and Festivals

  • Yennayer: The Chiadma continue to observe the Amazigh Agricultural New Year. Rituals include the preparation of Tagoula or seven-vegetable couscous to ensure a fertile harvest.
  • The Daour of the Regraga: An annual 40-day pilgrimage that circulates through various shrines in the region. It serves as a social and spiritual unification of the federation.

    Economy

The economy of the Chiadma is primarily agrarian and centered on the traditional weekly market system.

Agriculture and Livestock

  • Argan and Olive Oil: The region is a primary center for the production of Argan oil, an ancestral practice maintained by the local population.
  • Livestock: The trade of sheep and goats is the primary source of income. The Had Dra market is recognized as one of the most significant livestock hubs in North Africa.

    Major Market Centers

  • Had Dra : The largest livestock and social hub in the region.
  • Tlat al-Hanchane : A major trade center for the eastern inland fractions.
  • Talmest : The administrative and commercial center for the northern tribes.