Rif
This is about a region in Morocco: RIF is also an acronym/initialism.
The Rif (Arif in the Amazigh language, which is also known as the Berber language, and er-Rif الريف in Arabic, ( It doesn't have the same meaning as in Arabic "countryside")) is a mainly mountainous region of north Morocco, from Cape Spartel and Tangier in the west to Cape Tres Forcas and Melilla in the east, and from the Mediterranean Sea in the north to the river of Ouargha in the south.
The people of the Rif are Rifains ( the Berber people of north Morocco who call themselves: "Imazighen" or "Irifyen" ), and Arabs ( Arabised Rifains and authentic Arabs ), but the term " Rif " is generally used to indicate the Amazigh people of the Rif ( Irifiyen ).
Major Amazigh-Rif cities include Al Hoceima and Nador, while Melilla, though in Spanish hands, is geographically a part of it.
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History
In the Middle Ages, it was the home of the Kingdom of Nekor. In the twentieth century, under the leadership of Abd el-Krim el-Khattabi, a Moroccan national hero, it declared independence as the Rif Republic and withstood a Spanish invasion for several years.
Neighboring groups include Ghomara on the east, Senhaja on the southeast, and Aith Iznacen on the southwest, in addition to Algeria to the east. The principal spoken language of the region is Tarifit.
Tribes
Traditionally, the principal Amazigh-Rif tribes of the region are:
- Aith Ouriaghel near Ajdir, around Oued Ghis (Abd el-Krim's tribe)
- Gzennaya, near the source of Oued Bayu, east of the Metalsa
- Galiya, in the region of Melilla
- Mazuza
- Aith Shisher
- Aith Sidel
- Aith Bu Ifrur
- Aith Bu Yafer
- Kebdana, along the coast next to Oued Moulouya near the Algerian border
- Aith Said, west of Oued Kert
- Oulad Stut, an originally Arab tribe, south of the Kebdana
- Aith Bu Yahi, along Oued Moulouya south of the Oulad Stut
- Metalsa, east of the Aith Bu Yahi
- Aith Ulishk, southwest of Temsaman
- Tafersit, southwest of Temsaman
- Aith Tuzin, south of Temsaman
- Temsaman, around the town of that name, west of Al Hoceima
- Aith Amart, south of Aith Ouriaghel
- Targuist, southeast of Aith Ouriaghel
- Bokoya, between Ajdir and Bades
- Aith Itteft, east of Bades
- Aith Bu Frah, east of Aith Itteft
- Mestassa, east of Aith Bu Frah
- Mtiwa, between Mestassa and Oued Ouringa
Environment
The Rif mountains are home to the honeybee Apis mellifera major.
See also
External links
Categories: Amazigh | Berber | Geography of Morocco | History of Morocco | Rif