Hamza Ben Driss Ottmani facts for kids

Hamza Ben Driss Ottmani was a Moroccan economist and writer. He was born on May 10, 1940, in Essaouira, Morocco (which was also known as Mogador). He passed away on May 30, 2012, in Rabat. He is well-known for his books that often focused on his hometown.

About Hamza Ben Driss Ottmani

Hamza Ben Driss Ottmani studied to become an aerospace engineer. This means he learned how to design and build aircraft and spacecraft. He graduated from a French university called École nationale de l'aviation civile in 1963. Later, he also became an economist, studying how money and resources are used. He finished his economics studies at ENSAE ParisTech in 1973.

After his studies, Hamza Ben Driss Ottmani held important jobs in the Moroccan government.

His Writing and Hometown

Even though he worked in government, Hamza Ben Driss Ottmani is most famous for his writing. Many of his books are about his hometown, Essaouira. He often called it by its older name, Mogador.

His first book was a history study called "Une cité sous les alizés" (which means "A city under the trade winds"). It explored the history of Mogador-Essaouira from ancient times up to World War II.

Later, he started writing fiction, which are made-up stories. However, his stories always had a strong connection to real history.

• In "Si Mogador m'était contée" (meaning "If Mogador could talk"), an old storyteller named Lalla Aïcha shares twenty forgotten stories about the city's past.
• "Le Soldat qui venait de Mogador" ("The soldier who came from Mogador") tells the story of a journey to Mecca that began in 1912.
• "Le Fils du Soleil" ("Son of the Sun") is a historical novel. It tells the amazing true story of Mustapha Zemmouri, also known as Estevanico. He was a Moroccan man from the Azemmour region who was taken as a slave to America by a Spanish man. He later became one of the first explorers of Arizona and New Mexico.

Awards and Recognition

Hamza Ben Driss Ottmani received several awards for his work:

• In 1997, he was honored by the "Société de Géographie humaine de Paris" (Human Geography Society of Paris) with the "prix René-Caillié" (René-Caillié award).
• His book "Le Fils du Soleil" ("Son of the Sun") won the "Prix du Maroc du livre" (Morocco book award) in 2006. This was in the creative writing category.
• In 2011, his biography of Kaddour Benghabrit was chosen for the "Prix Grand Atlas" award.

His Books

• Une cité sous les alizés : Mogador des origines à 1939, Éditions La Porte, 1997. (ISBN: 978-9981889187)
• Le Fils du soleil : l'Odyssée d'Estevanico de Azemor, Éditions La Porte, 2006. (ISBN: 9789981889538)
• Le Soldat qui venait de Mogador, Éditions La Porte.
• Si Mogador était contée, Éditions Eddif.
• Kaddour Benghabrit : Un Maghrébin hors du commun, Éditions Marsam.