[3] Although previous settlements existed, especially during the Roman period, the first continuously inhabited town in the area after the spread of Islam was Sijilmasa, founded by the Midrarid dynasty.

A few years later in 1610, Ahmed ibn Abi Mahalli also built up an army in the Tafilalt area and took Marrakesh back for himself, but lost control after Sidi Yahya ben Younes liberated the city for Zidan.

[5] Medieval traveler Ibn Battuta wrote about visiting Sijilmasa (near Tafilalt) in the fourteenth century on his journey from Fez to Mali, "the country of the blacks".

[10] Entirely located along the Ziz River,[11] the oasis was, before mechanized transport, ten days' journey south of Fez and Meknes, across the Atlas Mountains.

[12] Mercenaries of Hell (original title Pokol zsoldosai), a novel by the famous Hungarian author Jenő Rejtő takes place in the village and surrounding area.