By the 16th and 17th centuries, the communities had reached their greatest importance, but they have been in decline ever since.
وبحلول القرنَين الـ‍ ١٦ والـ‍ ١٧ بلغت هذه الجماعات اوجها ،‏ لكنها راحت تتضاءل تدريجيا بعد ذلك .‏