Rif

The Rif, also called the Rif Mountains, is a region in northern Morocco. It is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the west, the Ouergha River to the south, and the Moulouya River to the east. This area is home to the Riffians, the Senhaja de Srair, the Jebala, and the Ghomara.

Historically, the Rif was important during a time of conflict called the Rif War (1920–1927). The mountains are split into two parts: the eastern Rif (Nador, Driouch, Al Hoceima) and the western Rif (Tangier, Tétouan, Chefchaouen, Taounate). The western part is often called the Jebala, while the eastern part is known as the Rif proper.

In terms of language, the western Rif mostly speaks Moroccan Arabic, though the Ghomara people keep their Ghomara Berber language. The eastern Rif mainly speaks Berber, especially Tarifit. In the central Rif (Ketama, Issaguen, Targuist), there is a Berber-speaking group of Senhaja de Srair.

Geography

The Rif Mountains are part of a large area called the Gibraltar Arc or the Alborán Sea. They are connected to a mountain system in southern Europe called the Baetic System, which includes mountains in the Iberian Peninsula. This means the Rif Mountains are not connected to the Atlas Mountains.

Some big towns in the Rif area are Nador, Al Hoceima, Imzouren, Driouch, Ben Taieb, Midar, and Al Aaroui. Smaller towns include Segangan, Selwan, Ajdir, Targuist, Chefchaouen, Taounate, Tetouan, Ouezzane, Tangier, and Ksar El Kebir.

History

The Rif has been home to Berbers for a very long time. Around the 11th century BC, the Phoenicians began to build trading places and cities like Tetouan, Rusadir (now Melilla), and later Tingi, which is now Tangier.

After the Third Punic War, the area became part of the Kingdom of Mauretania under Rome. Later, the Byzantine Empire controlled it for a while. In 710, Salih I ibn Mansur created the Emirate of Nekor, and many Berbers turned to Islam. By the 15th century, many people who left Spain settled in the western Rif. They brought their traditions, including Andalusian music, and founded the city of Chefchaouen.

The Rif had many battles with Spain and Portugal. In 1415, Portugal invaded Ceuta, and in 1490 Spain conquered Melilla. Later, in 1859, the Hispano-Moroccan War began in Tetouan. In the 1920s, the Rif people fought against Spanish forces during the Rif War. Spain left the area in 1956.

Economy

Main article: Cannabis in Morocco

Farmers in the Rif grow many plants that are used to make a special product in Morocco. The area has not grown much in terms of jobs and money.

Environment

The Rif region in northern Morocco has a rich environment. It is home to special animals, including a few remaining groups of the endangered Barbary macaque and a unique type of honey bee.

The area gets a lot of rain, more than anywhere else in Morocco. Some parts get over 2,000 millimetres (80 inches) of rain each year. This rain helps many forests grow, including trees like Atlas cedar, cork oak, and holm oak. Cutting down trees for farming and other uses has hurt the soil.

Tribes

The Riffians are made up of many different tribes and groups. Some of these tribes include the Gzenaya, Ait Waryaghar, Ait Amart, Ait Touzine, Ait Temsaman, Ait Ulishk, Ait Tafersit, Ait Said, Kebdana, Bokoya, Ait Itteft, and Ibdarsen.

Another group is called the Senhaja. The Northern Senhaja includes the Senhaja Srair and the Arabophone Senhaja. The Senhaja Srair tribe includes groups such as Zerqet, Ait Gmil, Ait Bunsar, Ait Khennus, Ait Seddath, Ait Ahmed, Ait Bshir, Ait Bushibet, Ait Berber, Taghzut, Ketama, Ait Mezduy, and Targuist.