Ait M'Hamed

The commune of Ait M'hamed is a predominantly rural commune in the region of Beni Mellal-Khenifra. It takes its name from the name of the “Ait Mhand” tribes that populate it. There are Ait Hamou or Ali, Ait Wamlouk, Ihansalen, Ait Issha, Ait Atta and Sahraouis. The population is dispersed over an area of ​​approximately 300 km2, the only agglomeration is represented by the capital of the “caidat of Ait Mhamed” where the weekly souk is held every Saturday. It was created in 1960 under No. 03-1-2., located south of the city of Azilal, and limited:

   •  to the north, by the rural communes of “Ait Mazigh”, “ Agoudi N'Lkhir” and “Tamda Noumarcid”.
   •  to the south, by the rural communes of “Tabant” and “Ait Abbas”.
   •  to the east, by the rural commune of “Zaouiat Ahansal”.
   •  to the west, by the rural communes of “Ait Taguella” and Wawla”.

Ait M'hamed fortress of Bernat

The capital of the commune is called “Souk Sebt N’Ait M'hamed” which is only 20 km from the city of Azilal. Administratively, the commune depends on the Circle of Azilal; It is divided into 7 “Machiakhat”, the number of electoral districts is 23 totaling a number of localities (douars) of 45. The commune is also the capital of the “caidat” of Ait M'hamed since 1936 and recently headquarter of the Circle. It is one of the largest rural communes in the province of Azilal both demographically and territorially.

Demographics

Years	1994	2004	2014	2024	growth rate
population	18888	21742	23696	23531	-0.696%

Years	1994	2004	2014	2024	growth rate
Households	2685	3190	3493	4183	19.75%

History

Several events have marked the history of the rural commune of Ait M'hamed: The pre-colonial era was marked by the "Siba" witch is anarchy in "Darija"(Moroccan language). The "siba" is a discontinuous tribal war opposing the different tribes between them. The Ait M'hand were in confrontation with the "Ntifa" tribe in the west, the "Ait Abbas" and "Ait Bouguemmaz" in the south, the "Ait Outferkal" (Ait Abdellah and Ait Ougoudid) in the north and the "Ihansalen" and "Ait Issha" in the east. The reason for these confrontations was related to natural resources, in particular pastures and water points. In several situations, these resources are still currently common between these tribes, which gives rise to inter-tribal conflicts from time to time.

Some historical events that marked the town:

   • 1914 marked the beginning of French colonization, the construction of the colonial office. 
   • 1917: French stabilization in the region. 
   • 1944: was marked by the famine that affected the region and forced several families to emigrate to the south. The return was marked by the influx of new families from the Ouarzazate region to settle in the commune. 
   • 1946 was a year of very good harvest called Âam El Khalf (year of recovery). 
   • 1957: a large snowstorm that lasted 2 months caused human and livestock damage. 
   • 1957: the construction of the first classroom in the field of education at the Ait M'hamed town. 
   • 1967: is marked by an epidemic disease of equines that caused significant damage. 
   • 1968: Scabies disease was spreading among the population who had never known it (this disease was locally called “Banchachar” at the time). 
   • 1971-1973: Demarcation of the forest area, which marked the beginning of a chronic conflictual relationship between the population and the water and forest department that continues to this day. 
   • 1981-1985: Drought caused the emigration of hundreds of families. 
   • 1992: Beginning of a second cycle of drought years. 
   • 2017: Start of a third cycle of drought years.
   • 2019: The covid-19 pandemic caused the death of many people, especially the elderly.