The group of people known as "Riffians" or "Rif Berbers" are found in Northern Morocco. They are considered tough and hardened people because they live in an extremely uninviting environment in the Rif Mountains. This area of land is located in the northwestern portion of Africa. It consists of deserts, mountains, and rolling fields. The word "Rif" is actually Arabic for "the edge of cultivated area." Hence, the nickname given to this group is "Riffians" because they live on the edge of a cultivated area. The Berbers call themselves the Imazighen, which means "the free people."
They call themselves this as a result of the Riffians revolting after an imposition of Spanish rule in Morocco. This massacre killed some 16,000 soldiers in the Spanish military post Er Rif. In 1921 they declared their independence and became free of Spanish rule. This revolt was led by Abd-El-Krim, the leader of the Riffians at that time. The Riffians of today are mostly farming people. Their farm work is done typically by hand, which provides a very small crop at the end of the growing season. Despite efforts from government projects to aid farm production, the Riffians refuse it. They consider it an intrusion on their beliefs and traditions. Rejecting this aid keeps technological advancement in this region very limited.
The Riffians of the Southern and Central regions of the Rif Mountains rely mostly on the fig and olive trees that cover the mountainside as their main source of income. Some livestock is raised, but few rely on it for a major moneymaker. Many Riffians look to Europe to provide them with jobs during the months they are not farming. About one third of the male population looks for second jobs in European cities. Rif houses are normally built of stone and have flat roofs on them. Houses are placed on ridges at least 300 meters from the nearest neighbor. They do this for defense purposes. The women of the Riffian culture dress in long, colorful skirts and headscarves. The men wear a traditional cloak called the djellaba. It is usually made of cotton or wool and has wide sleeves and a hood. The men also wear turbines, which are unique to each of the 19 tribes of Riffians.
Riffians have a patriarchal family system, which is traditional in the Muslim religion. Only men have the privilege to receive formal education. However, education is not a high priority in their culture. For instance, if a family has many sons, only a couple will go to a school for formal education. No women are allowed to attend a school of any kind. The main language of the Riffians is Arabic and 99.6% of Riffians follow the Muslim religion. There are many differences in rural and urban tribes. Urban tribes tend to follow the orthodox Islam religion closely, whereas, rural tribes include ancient beliefs and customs with their Muslim beliefs. The Riffians of Northern Morocco live a very simple life compared to the society of the U.S. and many other more developed countries, but it is their belief to keep the traditions that they follow alive for years to come. They have very strong family values, which keeps them bound together despite their rugged living conditions.
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"Footnotes to History -P through R-." 2 Feb. 2000
By: Beth Larson