Marrakech, a historical jewel in Morocco, witnessed significant demographic, urban, social, and economic transformations during its time as the capital of the Almohad state, as explored in a series of articles derived from Professor Mohammed Rabita Al-Din's thesis titled "Morocco in the Almohad Era." This insightful examination reveals that during the 12th century, approximately during the 6th Hijri century, Marrakech experienced a remarkable population growth, nearing 200,000 inhabitants. This estimate is supported by various human, urban, and economic indicators, offering a comprehensive view of the city's evolution during a pivotal era.
One of the most notable statistics highlighted in the thesis is the settlement of the Kumiya Zenata tribe in Marrakech in 557 Hijri (1162 AD), with historical records indicating around 40,000 knights. This figure is particularly significant as it pertains to adult males capable of production and bearing arms, rather than the total population of the settled group. In addition to the Kumiya, Marrakech welcomed other groups, including the inhabitants of Tinmel, the Hantata, the Sanhaja, and the Haskura tribes, alongside slaves and families migrating from Central Morocco, Ifriqiya, Al-Andalus, and various other regions. This influx of people played a crucial role in establishing migration as a primary factor in the demographic growth of the Almohad capital.
The urban indicators further support the hypothesis of a large population within Marrakech. The demographic growth and the continuous influx of people towards the capital strained its capacity to accommodate newcomers, leading to pressures on housing that necessitated urban expansion. Following the settlement of the Sanhaja and Haskura in the late reign of Caliph Abu Yaqub Yusuf, the city expanded southwestward, creating new residential areas to restore balance between the population and housing.
This expansion is particularly significant given that the total area of the city within the remnants of the Almoravid walls was approximately 606 hectares at the time. The need to surpass this area and add new living spaces reflects the level of demographic pressure the capital had reached. Moreover, the rising population was accompanied by extensive urban and productive activities, which included the construction of religious facilities, palaces, markets, and the expansion of residential areas, in parallel with the growth of irrigated agricultural lands surrounding Marrakech. These factors form the basis of the study's analysis regarding the human capacity that required housing, food, work, and services.
The political stability that characterized a significant portion of the 6th Hijri century also aided in sustaining this growth. During this period, Marrakech faced fewer instances of destruction, looting, and economic or natural crises compared to what would be experienced in the 7th Hijri century. This stability contributed to maintaining its human resources and creating favorable conditions for family formation and childbirth.
Thus, the thesis integrates two key factors in explaining the substantial population increase: the massive migration towards the capital and the natural growth of its residents. A significant portion of the newcomers settled permanently, while marriages, family formations, and births further expanded the city's demographic base. Consequently, the transformation that Marrakech underwent in the 6th Hijri century was not merely urban and political but also encompassed profound demographic changes, establishing the Almohad capital as one of the major urban centers in the Islamic West at that time.
As reported by almarrakchia.net.
