Zâitra (â:ع): Moroccan Thyme[edit]

Latin Name: Thymus vulgaris, English: Common Thyme, French: Thym commun, Spanish: Tomillo, Italian: Timo comune, German: Echter Thymian, Portuguese: Tomilho, Dutch: Echte tijm, Russian: Тимьян обыкновенный, Chinese: 百里香, Japanese: タイム, Turkish: Kekik, Arabic:Zaâtar زعتر, Moroccan Arabic: Zâitra, Zâaytra, زعيترة

Medicinal Properties in Ancient Texts[edit]

In Arabo-Muslim medicine, scholars like Avicenna and Ibn Al-Baytar extensively documented thyme's medicinal properties. These included relieving toothache, enhancing eyesight, benefiting various organs, and treating ailments like coughing, nausea, and tumors.

Vernacular Names and Linguistic Origins[edit]

Thyme is known by various names across Arab regions, with "Zaâtar" being the most common. The historical term "Hasha" [1] is also mentioned, tracing its roots to ancient languages like Ugaritic and Akkadian. In Ugaritic, wild thyme [2] was described as "Hasū," pronounced "Hashu." Interestingly, H. P. J. Renaud and G. S. Colin's Glossary of Moroccan Medical Terms (1934) documented "Sa'tar" as being used interchangeably with "Hasha" [3].

The exploration of thyme's etymology extends beyond Ugaritic. Akkadian, another ancient East Semitic language spoken in Mesopotamia (present-day central Iraq) during the 3rd millennium BC, also offers a piece of the puzzle. Evidence suggests that the Akkadian word for thyme or orgeano was "Zataru" (with variant spellings including Zateru, Sataru, and Sateru) [4]. Notably, the "Marduk Garden," a sanctuary dedicated to cultivating medicinal plants, included thyme among its flora, highlighting its historical significance throughout the region.

Enduring Knowledge through the Centuries[edit]

From the 13th to the 16th century, scholars across the Arab world continued to emphasize thyme's significance. Daoud al-Antaki regarded it as a tonic and stimulant, while Al-Ghassani (1548–1610) provided a modern classification, distinguishing thyme from oregano by introducing the name "soâitra" (صعيترة) [5].

Insights from Historical Texts and Scholars[edit]

Al-Ghassani's work, "Garden of Flowers in the Explanation of the Character of Herbs and Drugs," offers a deeper understanding of thyme's role in Arab herbalism. Moroccan nomenclature, such as referring to thyme as "صعيترة" (sa'itra) or "زعيترة" (za'itra), reflects a clear distinction from oregano. This differentiation is also evident in the Berber language (Amazigh), with various names for thyme, indicating a well-established tradition of recognizing and utilizing thyme distinctively.

Berber vernacular names appear to offer more precision in describing thyme and oregano species than Arabic names. In 1920, Jean Gattefossé, a French botanist and journalist, wrote a book called "Voyage au Maroc," where he extensively discussed the aromatic resources of Morocco. He noted that the Berbers had a better understanding of distinguishing plant species and had a less confused vocabulary when compared to that of the Arabs[6].

Moroccan Arabic and Berber Names[edit]

Moroccan Arabic names of thyme: Zâitra, Zaâtar, Zâaytra, Zaâter Essouiri.

Berber names for thyme: Tazoukenit, Azoukni, Izoukni, Zouchencheni, Taouchent, Zouchen, Zouken, Zoukeni, Ozoukenni, Aserkna, Azekount, Aduchen.

Moroccan Arabic names of oregano: Zaâtar, Saâtar, Sahtar, Zaâtar Tadlaoui, Zaâtar Rifi, Zaâter Targuiste.

Berber names for oregano: Zwi, Azoui, Azwi, Azouy, O’azouy, Zouy.

While there might be some variations in the names due to the diverse Berber tribal languages, there is generally no significant confusion [7] .

Deciphering Zaâtar: Thyme and Oregano's Shared Name[edit]

The herbs thyme and oregano, while flavor companions, can present a challenge in Morocco and the Levant when it comes to terminology. This summary dissects the intricacies of "Zaâtar" and related terms to bring clarity.

1. Morocco: Distinct Names for Distinct Herbs[edit]

In Morocco, a clear distinction exists between thyme and oregano. Here, "Zaâitra" or "Sâitra" specifically refers to thyme, while "Zaâtar" is typically used for oregano. This distinction is often based on the physical characteristic of the leaves. However, some ambiguity persists as some Moroccans might use "Zaâtar" for both herbs.

2. Levantine Labyrinth: Zaâtar as Spice Blend or Single Herb[edit]

The situation becomes more intricate in Levantine countries (Bilad al-Sham). Here, "Zaâtar" can have a dual meaning. Within the culinary realm, it transforms into a spice blend, encompassing a variety of ingredients. This blend might include oregano, wild thyme, sumac, and sesame seeds, creating a flavorful mix. However, within the context of herbal medicine, "Zaâtar" sheds its blend status and reverts to referring to a single aromatic herb. This single herb could be oregano, thyme, or even marjoram, depending on the specific context.

In essence, understanding the use of "Zaâtar" requires considering both the geographical location and the context (culinary vs. medicinal) in which it's used.

References[edit]

[1] Watson, W. G. E. (2004). A Botanical Snapshot of Ugarit. Trees, Fruit, Plants and Herbs in the Cuneiform Texts. Aula Orientalis, 22, 107-155.

[2] Panayotov, S. V., & Vacín, L. (Eds.). (2018). Mesopotamian Medicine and Magic: Studies in Honor of Markham (p. 584). Brill.

[3] Renaud, H. P., & Colin, G. S. (1934). Glossaire de la matière médicale marocaine. Geuthner.

[4] Black, Jeremy; George, Andrew; Postgate, Nicholas (eds.). (2000). A Concise Dictionary of Akkadian. Oxford University Press

[5] Al-Ghassani (The Vizir). (1985). Garden of Flowers in the Explanation of the Character of Herbs and Drugs. Beyrouth: Dar al Gharb al Islami.

[6] Gattefossé, J. (1921). Voyage botanique au Maroc. In Battandier,J. A., & Jahandiez, E. (1920). Publications de la Société Linnéenne de Lyon, 41-2, 36-70

[7] Khalil, N. (2023). Medicinal and Edible Plants of Morocco (p. 43). Self-published.