The emergence of modern banking systems is generally attributed to Medieval Europe or Ancient Mesopotamia. However, the stone structures rising in the mountainous regions of North Africa reveal the existence of a developed economic and social trust system much earlier in human history. According to many historians, the ancient grain warehouses in Morocco called Igudar are considered to be one of the oldest known banking systems in the world.
Heritage of the Amazigh People: What is Igudar?
Igudar grain warehousessettled in Moroccan lands approximately 4 thousand years ago. Amazigh (Berber) people It was built by. Amazigh tribes, especially those living in the mountainous regions of southern Morocco, have developed both an economic and social solution to difficult geographical conditions. These warehouses built in the caves and rocky slopes of the mountains, They were safe centers where not only agricultural products but also society’s most valuable assets were stored.
Each Amazigh family has its own compartment within Igudar; Grain, food, weapons, official documents and jewels were stored in these areas. In this respect, Igudar functioned not only as a warehouse but also as a kind of bank where personal and social wealth was protected.
Security, Shelter and Social Solidarity
One of the striking features of Igudar structures is that they were also used for defensive purposes. Some granaries were designed large enough for tribe members to take shelter in times of war. Additionally, as a precaution against mice and pests, warehouses with special passages through which cats can enter and exit have also been identified. These details show how carefully the buildings were planned.
Registration System and Management Mechanism
One of the most important reasons why Igudar is defined as a “bank” is that it has an advanced management and recording system. Wooden boards were used to document the ownership of valuable items belonging to tribal members. An officer called Lamine was responsible for keeping these records. The laminate served a similar function to today’s bank tellers or secretaries.
In addition, each tribe elected a governing council called Inflas, consisting of ten people. The key to Igudar was held by the responsible person called Emir. Tribes would only pay the Emir in exchange for providing security and maintaining order, and otherwise keep the system afloat with a collective sense of trust.
Agadir Imchguiguiln: History Etched in Stone
One of the most striking examples among Igudar structures is the one with a history of more than 700 years. Agadir Imchguiguilnis. Restoration and research have revealed that this structure housed approximately 130 granaries, a central courtyard, a mosque and even a prison cell used for disciplinary purposes. This situation shows that Igudar undertakes not only economic but also religious and legal functions.
The Petrified State of Collective Trust
Igudar granariesBeyond their physical structures, they are a concrete indicator of the collective trust and sense of shared responsibility established in the Amazigh society. This system is one of the rare historical examples that can carry out individual ownership and social solidarity together.
Today, the Moroccan government maintains that the Igudar granaries ‘UNESCO World Heritage List’It is working on what to buy. These structures reveal that the economic organization in human history was shaped not only by trade and money, but also by the principles of trust, registration and common management.
To join our WhatsApp group CLICK!
