Mzab

The Mzab, or the M’zab Valley, is a cultural and historical region in the northern Sahara of Algeria, centered in Ghardaïa Province. It comprises five fortified villages, or ksars, built by the Mozabite Ibadi Muslims who settled the valley in the medieval period. The site was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982 for its exceptional example of desert urban planning and its well-preserved Ibadi architectural and social traditions.

The five ksars are Ghardaïa, Beni Isguen, Melika, El Atteuf, and Guerrara. Each is a walled, self-contained community containing mosques, markets, and houses organized around shaded courtyards, and linked by narrow, winding streets. Architecture in the valley is characterized by high, whitewashed walls, flat roofs, and understated decorative elements, with urban layouts designed to optimize shade, wind, and access to date palm gardens. A traditional irrigation system of underground channels, or foggaras, distributes water from the oases to supporting gardens and households.

Culturally, the Mozabites maintain Ibadi Islam and a distinct Mozabite Berber heritage, with language, customs, and crafts reflecting centuries of adaptation to desert life. The Mzab Valley remains a living landscape, where ongoing religious and social practices coexist with efforts to preserve its vernacular architecture and traditional urban form. The site continues to attract scholars and visitors interested in desert architecture, Ibadi culture, and sustainable oasis settlements.