沙漠研究 21-2, 67 - 69 (2011)“ICAL 1/DT X Joint International Symposium with JAALS”-Memorial Article-

Journal of Arid Land Studies

Change of Human Subsistence in the Sahara Oasis-Water Supply, Farm Expansion and Habitation Movements through a Case Study ofIn Belbel Oasis in Algerian SaharaShun ISHIYAMA*1)
Abstract: Water supply is limited factor for human subsistence of the Sahara oasis. This case study in a small Saharan oasis shows
short term change of water supply by “foggara” and deep well influencing scales of irrigated farms and water access of inhabitants.
Key Words: Farm expansion, “foggara”, Oasis, Sahara, Water supply

1. Introduction
Human life of the Sahara oasis had been supported by twofactors. The first is networks among the oases which had
been prospered through the trans-Saharan trade by camelcaravans. This exchange had animated not only economic
aspects but also cultural influence between sub-Sahara andMediterranean area. The second factor is the irrigatedagriculture associated with date palms which provide dates andshads to cropping and dates.
The life of the Sahara must be the fusion of the nature andthe culture since thousands years (Bentrouni, 2009). In last
30 - 40 years, modes of the life of the Sahara oases havechanged drastically. It is important to put this rapid change ofthe oasis on record. This paper aims to study transformationsof the oasis life focusing water supply system influencing farm
expansion and habitation area movements.
Fig. 1. Research site of Algerian Sahara

2. Research site and methods
We selected In Belbel oasis as a research site (Fig. 1).
Main reason of the site selection is the achievements of Kobori
who started his fieldwork at In Belbel since 1977. Then hehad made a large number of records and documents on theoasis comparing the underground water supply systems of arid
regions (Kobori et al., 1982; Kobori, 1973, 1989, 1991). Thisis remarkable advantage to study the oasis life.
In Belbel oasis is located at the center of Algerian Sahara
and isolated from nearest oases around (approximately 100 150 km). Foundation of the village was about 200 years ago.
The population of the oasis has doubled from 464 (1982) to962 (2009) persons.

Short term historical changes during approximately 50years can be surveyed by associated methods. The data fromthe documents made by Kobori, land survey, satellite image
and interview to old persons permit us landscape analysis on
chronological change.

3. Remarks on mode of life at In Belbel oasis and itschanges.
3.1. “Foggara” water supply system
The agriculture of the Sahara oases is characterized byirrigation and association with date-palms. The irrigation
system of underground water course, called “foggara” at the(Received May 15th, 2011; Accepted October 19th 2011)* Corresponding Author: ishiyama@chikyu.ac.jp457-4, Motoyama, Kamigamo, Kita-ku, Kyoto, 603-8047, JAPAN Tel: +81-75-707-2415
1) Research Institute for Humanity and Nature

Fax: +81-75-707-2509

North Africa, is widely distributed in Afro-Eurasian arid land
from Shinjang region of China to Mauritania.
Water of “foggara” appearing on the ground is divided bydistributors (“Qasrya”) to each section of farms. This water
distribution system had been related to social and religiousorganization of the oasis. But deep well (approximately 150
m of depth) water supply subsidized by government forincreasing agricultural production has taken place of “foggara”
since mid-1980s.
3.2. Evolution of oasis agriculture
Date-palms are also well distributed in the arid land.
They offer fruits and shade for crops. Since mid-1980s,
associated crops with date-palm have been changed tovegetables from cereals (to cash crops from self-consumption).
Nowadays, vegetables (tomato, eggplant, green leaves etc.) areraised in green houses introduced for winter culture (fromOctober to march). According to a farmer, this culture bringhim 14,000 DZD (190 $) for 6 months.
3.3. Diets changes
Daily meal has changed for past 40 years. Before,
inhabitants had mainly eaten some cereals (sorghum andwheat) and dates. They started to consume foods which areproduced at the outside of the oasis (ex. wheat for cous-cous)by reason of production shortage originated from water andworkforce insufficiency and an increase population.
3.4. Governmental support to the oasis life
Inhabitants of In Belbel profit national policies for isolated
area. For example electricity by natural gas power station isprovided to the inhabitants of In Belbel at a low late of 50 %.
Moreover, subsidy of 1,000,000 DZD (13,600 $) per
household is offering for house construction against the floodin January 2009.
3.5. Migration of oases people
Some old men of In Belbel have experiences to stay or towork outside of the oasis. They have finally returned to InBelbel. Nowadays, material purchases of the households aresupported by young generation who find the employment at
the out of the oasis.
The migration movement isindispensable for oasis economy.

4. Chronological landscape analysis on water supply,expansion of farms and habitation area (Fig. 2).
4.1. Water supply- Since foundation up to 1970s, water for irrigation andhouseholds depends on only one “foggara” (fg1).

Fig. 2. Chronologic changes of landscape.

- Inhabitants had tried to dig “foggara” 2 (fg2) which had been
failed in the ancient time. None of existing inhabitants
doesn’t have memories of fg2.
- “foggara” 3 (fg3) was dug by subsidy of government in 1984
against water scarcity of fg1.
- 5 deep well have dug since 1984. But only one well isworking presently (dw3).
- Two water tanks were constructed in 1984 and 2002, thesecond water tank was failed by break down of pump.
- Some owner of sections of f3 dug shallow wells for providing
the water to their own sections for supplement of water
insufficiency
4.2. Farm expansion- According to an old man of 78 years old, farm 1 (f1) and farm
2 (f2) were already abandoned when he was child. In thistime, habitants had cultivated in farm 3 (f3).
- Farm 4 (f4) was reclaimed in 1970s digging shallow wells.
But it was abandoned by water scarcity of shallow wells.
- Farm 5 (f5) was reclaimed expecting water of fg3.
- Farm 6 was reclaimed expecting water supply of deep well 2,
4 and 5 (dw2, dw4, dw5)
- Abandoned farm 2 (f2) was retaken since with water of deep
well 3 (dw3).
4.3. Habitation movement- H0 is cave in which unknown people had inhabited before thesettlement of ancestors of the existing inhabitants.
- H1 is ruins of a fort. Their periods are unknown.
- In the period of settlement, habitation area was h2, for thereason of water access (near the end point of fg1)
- Since 1920s, inhabitants started to move to h3. H3 hadenlarged step by step.

5. Conclusions
Expecting water source exploitation (“foggara”, shallow
wells and deep wells), farms have been reclaimed since 1970s
financing by governmental projects. However 4 deep wells
on 5 don’t function for the reason of breaking down of pumps,
water supply of the oasis is obligated by a “foggara” (fg3) anda deep well (dw3) because of lack of technical support and offollow up of the projects.
As economic values of the irrigated agriculture in the oasis
declined relatively, not only reinforcing of agricultural
productivities, but also alternative measures should beconsidered for the future of the oasis. We are discussing planfor establishing of oasis eco-museum with inhabitants of InBelbel, exhibiting life style of the oasis and its change, faunaand flora of the oasis and the Sahara.

References
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