Saharan oasis, Muzab Valley. The settlement here is in the northern Sahara in Algeria. It's in an area known as the Muzab Valley. There are five fortified villages. They were founded by the Ebadi people in the 11th century.
It's forbidden for outsiders to enter residential areas. This is a rooftop of one of the buildings. Women socialize with their neighbors here. When men want to come up, they first have to make sure there are no women there. The tall building on the hill is a mosque.
The people of the Muzab Valley obey strict observance of the Quran. They are often referred to as the Puritans of the Muslim faith. They came originally from southwest Asia. They were forced into exile to escape persecution during the 7th century. Although the Muzab Valley is in the middle of a desert, the local market is filled with fresh fruit and vegetables.
The settlers created a green oasis. It's autumn, the time to harvest dates. They're delicious fresh, but are usually eaten dried.
A river used to flow in the Muzab Valley until several thousand years ago. Sources of water are still present underground. There are more than 7,000 wells in this valley.
Digging one is hard work. It can take several years to strike water. There's a wedding ceremony underway here.
The groom is being dressed in a headscarf. The bride is attending a parallel ceremony at a different location, exclusively for female guests. Filming wasn't permitted. The bride and groom finally meet. meet alone at midnight.
Oppressed and forced into exile, the Muzab people have bonded through religious practice and by supporting each other in a harsh environment. The Muzab Valley is a green oasis in the Sahara Desert.