Ghorfa

Ghorfas ( from Arabic غرفة, DMG Gurfa, room ', the Arabic plural غرف / ġuraf ) are - usually in multiple layers stacked - vaulted storage chambers in the built of different Berber tribes of southern Tunisia Ksour and Westlibyens. The - also mostly arched - storage chambers in the troglodyte cave dwellings at Matmata are called Ghorfas.

Function

Ghorfas were used for storage of grain (barley ) and other non-perishable food ( dates, almonds, raisins, oil, etc. ) and the safe storage of farm implements, tools, and family documents ( deeds, marriage contracts, etc.), especially in the time of summer excursion of the living in the nearby villages of people with their cattle to more fertile - ie usually higher ground - Regions ( transhumance ).

Since many of the southern Tunisia Ksour lay on trade routes in largely flat terrain, they were - in contrast to the constructed in perfect any other way Agadiren Southern Morocco - also visited by caravans or on market days; therefore also exchange or trade goods were stored in the Ghorfas.

Architecture

In contrast to the chambers of memory Agadire southern Morocco with their ceilings or floors wedged Argan or almond wood branches are deep about 6 to 8 m, approximately 2 m wide and 1.80m high Ghorfas usually arched over, resulting in a high stability the chambers is achieved. The vaults were plastered on the outside with clay soil, so that - could flow well the water - on rare rainfall. Of course, this clay plaster had to be replaced regularly.

The inputs to the stepped-back upper floors are accessible often steep and loose railings outside stairs; sometimes removable and provided with steps tree or palm trunks were used as access ladders - in these cases, there is a big stepping stone or a wooden beam construction in front of the chamber access. Lighter goods were also - attached to long poles pulleys - are drawn into the higher chambers.

Today's state

As a result of technical progress and the pacification of the Berber population during and after the colonial period, formerly so characteristic of the Berber culture of southern Tunisia and Westlibyens Ksour and accordingly the Ghorfas have become largely inoperable. Your gradual decline can probably be stopped only by a change of use as a tourist attraction or as a film set, but - like most old and ornamented wooden doors - many are already gone (see: Medenine ).