Indigenous Women in North Africa: Amazigh Women and Argan Oil

The argan tree is endemic to southwestern Morocco. For centuries, Amazigh women, many of whom are monolingual (speaking only Tamazight), illiterate and innumerate, have been producing argan oil from the fruit of the tree for culinary and medicinal purposes. The whole process was done manually and included harvesting the fruit from the ground, removing the outer pulp and peel to expose the nut, cracking the nut with a pounder (stone) to obtain usually one but up to three kernels, roasting the kernels if for culinary purposes — not so, if for cosmetic purposes, grinding the kernels in a millstone, kneading the ground kernels and extracting the oil. Because of the exotic ‘hazelnut’ taste and beneficial health properties, the oil has become a very expensive commodity worldwide, selling between $300 and $400 a litre. Labelled as ‘liquid gold’, it is reputed to delay ageing and hair loss and to prevent or treat a large variety of diseases. Argan oil cooperatives, employing only women, were initiated in 1996. This was considered a win-win situation as it would protect and conserve the fragile argan forests and provide work and salaries for Amazigh women, an impoverished group in a highly restrictive patriarchal society. The women were entitled to voting rights and a share of the annual profits, in addition to literacy classes, health services and child care. Except for the cracking of the nuts, all steps in the production of the oil became mechanised. There are mixed reports on the benefits, earnings and status of the women in the cooperatives. Control of argan oil, which was exclusively in the hands of Amazigh women, has been usurped by the state and businessmen. Today, 99% of the argan forests are publically owned. In the production of argan oil, approximately 95% of the women only crack nuts in the traditional manner.