Marriage Rituals and Ceremonies within the Social Structures of Tafilalt: A Socio-Anthropological Study of the Cultural Framework of the Beni M'hammed Tribes.

Abstract

Marriage rituals in the oasis society, especially among the Beni M'hammed tribes in the Ziz Oasis, have historically played a central role in shaping social, cultural, and familial structures. Governed by inherited norms and traditions, marriage was deeply connected to lineage, kinship, and tribal affiliation, under the influence of the extended family and tribal authority. Despite the complex and layered nature of these social structures, marriage served to define relationships and societal order. Over time, however, these traditional rituals have undergone notable changes, highlighting a clear shift between past practices and modern forms of marriage within the oasis communities