For centuries, the Berber (Amazigh) peoples have developed knowledge and techniques perfectly adapted to the Mediterranean and mountainous landscapes of the Maghreb and Andalusia. Their hydraulic intelligence is expressed through methods of capturing and transporting water, systems for its conservation, and social rules for collective management. These skills made it possible to supply cities, gardens, and mills in regions where water has always been a precious resource.

In Fez, Morocco, the need to supply a densely populated Medina led to a complex network combining springs, channels, cisterns, and public fountains. Traditional engineers mastered the art of capturing mountain water and directing it to neighbourhoods, hammams, and fountains — minimising loss through the use of underground pipes and reservoirs (aljibes). Berber techniques of capture and redistribution — including wells, filtering galleries such as khettaras or qanats in certain regions, and shared reservoirs — demonstrate a deep understanding of local hydraulics and seasonal storage (saving water for the dry months). These systems were designed to last and to be maintained collectively by the community itself.

In Granada, the Islamic-Nasrid legacy integrated and refined these rural and Berber practices. The Alhambra and the Generalife are eloquent examples: a network of channels, canals, and pools distributed water for garden ornamentation, irrigation, and domestic use. The Acequia Real (Royal Canal) and other conduits drew water from nearby rivers and springs, equipped with devices to regulate flow and ensure consistent distribution. The art of guiding water along slopes, using gravity, and designing gardens and patios around controlled flows reveals engineering conceived as much for beauty as for function.

Beyond technique, Berber water wisdom is grounded in social and institutional principles: shared irrigation rights, rotation schedules, and collective obligations for maintaining canals and galleries. These customary agreements ensured both the longevity of the systems and fair distribution — crucial in times of scarcity. The combination of technical knowledge and community governance is one of the strengths of these traditional models.

Finally, this ancient wisdom remains profoundly relevant today. Khettaras, terraces, cisterns, and redistribution systems embody sustainable practices — water recovery, seasonal storage, loss reduction, and climate adaptation — that can inspire contemporary responses to water stress. Studying and valuing this technical and social heritage helps imagine a more resilient and locally attuned approach to water management.

The Photographic Project

This project fits within that framework, complementing historical documents that already illustrate the extraordinary engineering and knowledge of Berber communities. Through photographs and videos, it invites the viewer to discover the social and sacred relationship to water in Fez and at the Alhambra in Granada — and soon, in Sintra, Portugal. The exploratory phase is far from complete, as it requires a great deal of time and presence. The images currently presented offer only a glimpse of the emotions evoked by the presence of water in these remarkable places.

The project draws on Jean-Marie’s years of experience exploring the waters of the world.