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 is a Sahrawi tribal confederation of Lamta Sanhaja Berber origins[1] in today southern Morocco and northern Western Sahara, but traditionally with wider migration routes. Nowadays, its population is estimated to be around 669,000.[2]
Demographics
The Tekna tribes speak Hassaniya Arabic and the Berber Shilha dialect in varying degrees.[3]
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.
They are divided into several berber-speaking and Arabic-speaking tribes, organized into the two rivalling tribal confederations, or leff:[4]
- Aït Djemel confederacy (Western Tekna), consisting of the tribes of Aït Lahcen, Izerguiyen, Yaggout, and Aït Moussa Ou Ali ;
- Aït Atman (or Aït Bella) confederacy (Eastern Tekna), consisting of the tribes of Azouafit, Aït Oussa, Aït Brahim, and Aït Hmad.
History
During the 17th century, Morocco under Ismail Ibn Sharif seized control over the territory from Senegal and Timbuktu to Moulouya River. Tekna contingents were then sent to the Senegal valley on behalf of the Sultan.[5]
After 1765 the Tekna revolted, acquiring greater autonomy.[6] 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.[7]
However, at the time of the Spanish colonisation and at the beginnings of the 20th century, the Tekna tribes were recognizing the Rulers of Morocco as their leaders.[8][9]
See also
- Maqil
- Sanhaja
- Bani Hassan
- Morocco
- Western Sahara
- Sahrawi
- Reguibat
References
- ↑ Castellino, Joshua (2000). International Law and Self-Determination. The Hague: Martinus Nijhoof publishers. pp. 239–243. ISBN 90-411-1409-2.
- ↑ Berber, Tekna Joshuaproject.net
- ↑ Claire Cécile Mitatre, « Le couloir ouest-saharien : un espace gradué », L’Année du Maghreb, VII (2011), p.211-228
- ↑ http://www.telquel-online.com/archives/161/images/shema.pdf
- ↑ Attilo Gaudio (1993), "Les populations du Sahara occidental: histoire, vie et culture", p.106
- ↑ Attilo Gaudio (1993), "Les populations du Sahara occidental: histoire, vie et culture", p.107
- ↑ Pedro Giménez de Aragón Sierra. "Proyecto Ibn Jaldun. VII. El colonialismo español en el s. XIX: África. 2. Chafarinas, Sidi Ifni y el Sáhara." (in Spanish). Junta de Andalucía. Retrieved 2010-06-15.
- ↑ Histoire et géographie de l'Europe. Tekna Confederation (Tekna). Depends upon Morocco
- ↑ 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)