Ait Ouriaghel facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ait Waryaghar ⴰⵢⵜ ⵡⴰⵔⵢⴰⵖⴻⵔ
Tribe
The Ait Waryaghar are indicated with II
Country	Morocco
Region	Tanger-Tetouan-Al Hoceima
Province	Al Hoceima
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)

The Ait Ouriaghel or Ait Waryaghar (in Berber: ⴰⵢⵜ ⵡⴰⵔⵢⴰⵖⴻⵔ) is one of the largest Riffian tribes. It is found in the Rif region of north-eastern Morocco. The name Ait Waryaghar means "those who do not back off" or "those who do not retreat."

This tribe lives around the city of Al Hoceima. They speak the "Western-Tarifit" dialect of the Riffian language. The Ait Waryaghar played a big role in the Rif wars (see Republic of the Rif). These wars were fought against the Spanish Protectorate in Morocco in the early 1900s. The Spanish saw them as the main group resisting their rule. A famous battle, the Battle of Annual, showed their strong resistance.

During the Rif War from 1921 to 1926, the Ait Waryaghar were led by the Al-Khattabi family. The most famous leader was Muhammad bin Abd el-Krim al-Khattabi. Their main center was Ajdir, a small town near Al Hoceima. Muhammad bin Abd el-Krim al-Khattabi worked with the Ait Touzine tribe. They fought to stop the Spanish army at the Nekor river in Temsamane.

History of the Ait Waryaghar Tribe

Before modern times, not much was written about the Ait Waryaghar tribe. However, we know that Abd el-Krim, a famous leader, was born in Ajdir, a town within this tribe's territory. He led the united tribes of the Rif during the time of colonization. The Spanish army suffered a major defeat against the Ait Waryaghar during the Battle of Anoual. The Ait Waryaghar tribe was known as the biggest and most powerful tribe in the Rif.

In 1958, the Ait Ouriaghel tribe was part of an uprising. People wanted better living conditions, improved healthcare, and paved roads. The tribe faced a strong response from the Moroccan government. King Hassan II sent the army to the Rif region at that time.

Since the 1950s, many people from the Al Hoceima province, where the Ait Ouriaghel live, have moved abroad for work. They often went to countries like the Netherlands, France, Belgium, and Spain. Many also moved to the city of Tangier.

Khmas System of the Ait Waryaghar

The Ait Waryaghar, along with the Iqer'iyen, are the only Riffian tribes that use a system called Khmas. A khams (the singular form of Khmas) is like an independent group within the larger tribe. Each khams has its own leader, called a qaid.

Here are the five Khmas of the Ait Waryaghar:

• Ait Youssef Ou Ali
• Bni Bouayach
• Imrabten
• Bni Abdallah
• Ait Hadifa

After Morocco gained independence in 1956, a new national government system was put in place. Because of this, the Khmas system was no longer used.

Geography of the Ait Waryaghar Territory

The Ait Waryaghar tribe lives in a large area in the central part of the Rif region.

The Ait Waryaghar territory shares borders with several other tribes:

• To the west: Targuist, Ait Mezdoui, and Ait Itteft.
• To the east: Temsamane and Ait Touzine.
• To the north: Ibaqouyen.
• To the south: Igzenayen and Ait Ammart.

Here are some of the biggest cities located in the Ait Waryaghar tribal area:

• Al Hoceima (about 57,000 residents). The southern part of this city is on Ait Waryaghar land.
• Imzouren (about 34,000 residents)
• Bni Bouayach (about 18,000 residents)
• Ait Youssef Ou Ali
• Ajdir (about 5,000 residents)

Famous People from Ait Waryaghar

Many notable people come from the Ait Waryaghar tribe:

• Abd el-Krim: A military leader and president of the anti-colonial Rif Republic.
• Nasser Zefzafi: A political activist.
• Omar Khattabi: A surgeon and political leader.
• Mohammed Ziane: A politician and lawyer.
• Mohamed Mrabet: A well-known storyteller.
• Abdelkader Ouaraghli: A former international goalkeeper in football.
• Mounir El Hamdaoui: A Dutch-born Moroccan football player.
• Saïd Boutahar: A Dutch-born Moroccan football player.

See also

In Spanish: Beni Urriaguel para niños