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Senhaja de Srair people

The Senhaja de Srair are a Berber ethnic group and tribal confederation in northern Morocco. They are established in the central Rif region, particularly in the districts of Targuist, Ketama and Bni Boufrah. They are considered an ethno-linguistic minority in Morocco.

Language
The Senhaja de Srair speak Senhaja Berber, a Berber language of the Afro-Asiatic family. This language belongs to the Atlas branch of Berber, although it has been influenced by the neighboring Riffian varieties. It is spoken by approximately 85,000 people. == Geography ==
Geography
Around Ketama and Targuist, the Senhaja de Srair inhabit a mountainous region, the highest in the Rif, densely covered with cedar forests, where they form a group of tribes sharing a common origin, language, history, and way of life. The region lies between Mount Tidighin, the highest peak in northern Morocco (2,456 m), and Tizi Ifri. It also extends to the coastal area of Cala Iris, historically known as Yalliš, which Al-Bakri identifies as a port of the Sanhaja. The region is marked by extensive forests and relatively heavy precipitation, including seasonal snowfall. == Tribal composition ==
Tribal composition
The Senhaja de Srair are organized into a confederation, comprising eleven tribes of Sanhaja origin: • Ketama, established around the communes of Ketama, Tamsaout, and Abdelghaya Souahel; • Ait Seddat, located between the communes of Issaguen and Moulay Ahmed Cherif; • Taghzut, established in the commune of Taghzout; • Ait Khennus, located near the communes of Moulay Ahmed Cherif and Bni Bounsar; • Ait Bunsar, established in the commune of Bni Bounsar; • Ait Hmed, established in the commune of Bni Ahmed Imougzen; • Ait Bushibet, established in the commune of Bni Bouchibet; • Ait Bshir, established in the commune of Bni Bchir; • Zerqet, located west of Targuist, in the commune of Zerkat; • Ait Mezduy, located east of Targuist, in the commune of Sidi Boutmim; • Targuist, the original tribe of the town of Targuist, established between the municipality of Targuist and the northern part of the commune of Sidi Boutmim. A group of four tribes of Sanhaja origin, located north of the Senhaja Berber-speaking area, is predominantly Arabic-speaking, while also including a small proportion of Senhaja Berber speakers. These tribes are also noted to have had partial participation in the Senhaja de Srair confederation. The four tribes in this group are:, established around the commune of Bni Boufrah; • Ait Gmil, established near Medcher Taghzout, north of the commune of Bni Gmil; • Mettioua, established between the communes of M'Tioua and Ouaouzgane; All the tribes mentioned are located within Al Hoceima Province. == Culture and society ==
Culture and society
Religion .|239x239px The Senhaja de Srair are predominantly Muslims. According to Abdulrahman Al-Tayyibi in his work. They follow the Sunni Sufi sect of the Tariqa Khamlishia. Nevertheless, the Senhaja de Srair are still attached to their ancestral beliefs, rites, and superstitions. Maraboutism, or the cult of saints, is still deeply rooted among them, as is the veneration of caves, certain animals, and other secret forces of nature… Handicraft Taghzut, among the Senhaja de Srair tribes, was renowned throughout Morocco for its leatherwork and woodworking, as well as for the manifacture of damascened Moroccan rifles, firearms, and gun powder. These weapons were notably used during the Rif War to resist the Spanish colonial forces. The inhabitants also produced large quantities of long knives, similar to Kabyle daggers. Around 2,500 artisans from Taghzut were reportedly distributed across the country, establishing workshops in cities such as Fez, Rabat, Casablanca, Marrakesh, Tangier, Tetouan and Nador. • . • . == Notable people ==
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