Tekna

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For other uses, see Tekna (disambiguation).
Tekna
Total population
approx. 669,000
Regions with significant populations
Morocco - Guelmim region, Tarfaya zone
Western Sahara - Saguia el-Hamra
Languages
Hassaniyya, Shilha
Religion
Predominantly Muslim
Related ethnic groups
Berbers

The Tekna was the name given to both a Sahrawi tribal confederation of Lamta Sanhaja Berber,[1] with origins in southern Morocco and parts of northern Western Sahara, but traditionally with wider migration routes. Nowadays, its population is estimated to be around 669,000.[2]

The Tekna tribes speak Hassaniya Arabic and the Berber Shilha dialect in varying degrees.[citation needed] They are divided into several berber-speaking and Arabic-speaking subtribes, organized into the two rivalling Ait Djemel and Ait Bella leff, or factions.[citation needed] All Tekna are Muslims, belonging to the Maliki school of Sunni Islam. Their traditional lifestyle was partly nomadic, based on camel and goat herding, and partly sedentary, controlling important routes of the Saharan caravan trade.

During the 18th century, Morocco under Ismail Ibn Sharif sized control over the territory from Senegal and Timbuktu to Moulouya River, after the death of Ismail in 1727 a civil war in Morocco led to losing these territories.[citation needed]

In May 30, 1767, Mohammed ben Abdallah (Sultan of Morocco) signed a peace & commerce treaty with the Spanish King Carlos III recognizing that he doesn't have control over the Tekna tribes.[3]

However, at the time of the Spanish colonisation and at the beginnings of the 20th century, the Tekna tribes caids of the Noun region were recognizing the Rulers of Morocco as their leaders.[4][5]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Castellino, Joshua (2000). International Law and Self-Determination. The Hague: Martinus Nijhoof publishers. pp. 239–243. ISBN 90-411-1409-2. 
  2. ↑ Berber, Tekna Joshuaproject.net
  3. ↑ Pedro Giménez de Aragón Sierra. "Proyecto Ibn Jaldun. VII. El colonialismo español en el s. XIX: África. 2. Chafarinas, Sidi Ifni y el Sáhara.". Junta de Andalucía. Retrieved 2010-06-15.  (Spanish)
  4. ↑ Histoire et géographie de l'Europe. Tekna Confederation (Tekna) . Depends upon Morocco
  5. ↑ International Court of Justice. Advisory Opinion of 16 October 1975

Bibliography

(French) Attilo Gaudio, "Les populations du Sahara occidental: histoire, vie et culture", ed. Karthala 1993, (Chap. VIII, pp. 97–116) (ISBN 2-86537-411-4)


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