The Province of ErrachidiaThe large and rather unwieldy Draa-Tafilalet region of Morocco consists of five provinces: Midelt, Errachidia, Tinghir, Ouarzazate, and Zagora. I will deal with each separately because they are vastly different from one another in terms of climate, geography, and economic history. These differences are reflected in the unique nature of the Jewish communities that developed there.The province of Errachidia first gained prominence in the year 757 CE with the establishment of the Amazigh city of Sijilmasa, near modern-day Rissani. Sijilmasa functioned as a transit point in the trans-Saharan caravan route that ran from the Niger River to Tangiers, and it grew fabulously wealthy as a result. During the 17th century, the Alaouites, today's ruling dynasty, gained power over the region. Ultimately, Sijilmasa went into decline due to constant warfare, shifting trade routes, and environmental degradation. The Ait Atta tribe sacked the city in 1818.Jews played a large role in the Trans-Saharan trade, in turn stimulating the development of Jewish craftsmanship. Saddlemakers, cobblers, seamstresses, rug weavers, gunsmiths, and metal workers of every kind proliferated to serve the merchants, as well as to provide goods for trade. Sijilmassa Jews also specialized in masonry and are credited with the construction of ksour and agricultural infrastructure.QUICK FACTS:Major cities and towns: Rissani, Errachidia (Ksar es-Souk), Erfoud, Goulmima Geographical features: the vast oasis of Tafilalet (in what is otherwise a desert), the Ziz and Ghéris rivers, a long border with Algeria, the Sahara DesertNearby areas with a significant Jewish population: Erfoud, Boudnib, Bou Anan, Bou ‘Arfa, Toulal, Talessint, Gourrama, Goulmima, er-Rich, Figuig, Tinejdad. Jewish families of Errachidia: Benchetrit, Benitah, Bensemhoun, Dahan, Illouz, Mamane, Nezri, Teboul Hazout, Bensaid, Zenou, Amoyal, Benhamou, Azeroual.