Ait Ouriaghel

The Ait Waryagher (also written as Ait Ouariaghel or Beni Ouariaghel in Arabic) is the biggest Amazigh tribe of the Rif region of the north-eastern part of Morocco. They inhabit most of the territory around the city of Al Hoceima. In Ait Waryaghar they talk Riffian language that belongs to the dialect of "Western-Tarifit".

The Aith Waryaghar were the main group which participated in the Rif wars (see Republic of the Rif) against the Spanish Protectorate in Morocco at the beginning of 20th century. The Spanish authorities considered it the nucleus of insumisión to the colonial authority in the Eastern zone of the protectorate (see Battle of Annual).

During the Rif War of 1921-1926, the leadership of the Aith Waryaghar was concentrated in the Al-Khattabi family and, in particular, in the person of Muhammad bin Abd el-Krim al-Khattabi. Its centre was the small locality of Ajdir in the bay of Al Hoceima.

Khmas system

The Ait Waryaghar are with the Ikeräiyen the only Riffian tribes that make use of the Khmas system. A khams (singular for Khmas) is a sort of independent tribe inside a tribe, with their own qaid (tribe-leader). These are the five Khmas of the Ait Waryaghar:

• Khams of the Ait Youssouf W'Äri / Ait Äri
• Khams of the Ait Bouäyach
• Khams of the Imrabdhen
• Khams of the Ait Abdellah
• Khams of the Ait Hadifa

After the independence of Morocco in 1956 there was a national board regime implemented, while the previously applicable khmas system became discontinued.

Geography

The tribe of the Ait Waryaghar covers a large area in the center of the Rif. The Ait Waryaghar borders on the following tribes:

• western: Targuist, Ait Boufrah and Ait Itteft.
• eastern: Temsaman and Ait Touzine.
• northern: Ibaqouyenland.
• southern: Gzennaya and Ait Ammart.

These are the cities that belong to the tribe of the Ait Waryaghar:

• Al Hoceima (107.000 residents)
• Imzouren (28.000 residents)
• Bni Bouayach (17.000 residents)
• Ajdir (3500 residents)
• Ait Hadifa (3000 residents)
• Tamassint (1800 residents)

External links

• Waryaghar information bank

Bibliography

• David Montgomery Hart, The Aith Waryaghar of the Moroccan Rif (Tucson, Arizona, 1976)