The Storyteller of Marrakesh (29 page)

RABAB:
A single-string fiddle.

RAÏ:
A pop music form originally from the Algerian port of Oran, expressing an opinion, outlook or point of view on topical issues.

RAIS:
Leader of a
RWAI
ensemble.

RAWI:
Storyteller.

REGUIBAT:
“Heroes of the desert”; legendary raiders of the Western Sahara.

RIAD:
Patio garden; also the house built around such a garden.

RIF:
The great crescent-shaped mountain barrier straddling northern Morocco.

RIHLA SA'IDA:
Bon voyage.

RUAGH:
Hebrew for wind, breath, spirit, soul.

RUHHAL:
Nomadic inhabitants of the Sahara over the eleven-hundred-mile range from Timbuktu to Morocco (from the classical Arabic
ruhhala
, to wander from place to place).

RWAI:
Groups of professional Chleuh Berber musicians from the Souss Valley; a
RWAI
performance usually comprises movements entitled
ASTARA
,
AMARG
,
AMMUSSU
,
TAMSUSST
,
ABERDAG
and
TABBAYT
.

SAADI:
The first Arab dynasty in Morocco (1554–1659) since the Idrissids, the Saadians marked the end of Berber rule. Their most impressive ruler was Ahmed “El Mansour” (the Victorious) who defeated the Portuguese army under King Sebastião in the Battle of Three Kings (1578).

SAFAVID:
Shi'a dynasty (1501–1722) originating in Ardabil in the Azerbaijani region of Iran, the Safavids established the greatest empire in Persia since the Islamic conquest of the region.

SAHEL:
From
sahil
(border, shore, coast of the Sahara Desert), primarily a belt of savannah, running from the Atlantic Ocean to the Horn of Africa, it forms the boundary zone between the Sahara in the north and the more fertile region to the south.

SAHRAWI:
Inhabitant of the Western Sahara territory.

SAHRIJ:
Cistern; water basin in the courtyard of a house.

SEER FHALEK: “
Go away”.

SERDAL:
Brightly coloured scarf decorated with coins, worn by Berber women.

SEROUAL/SERWAL:
Loose, calf-length trousers fastened at the waist and knees and worn under the
JELLABA
.

SFINGE:
Doughnut.

SHEIKH:
Leader of a religious brotherhood; chief of a tribe.

SHIRAZ, TABRIZ, HERAT:
Cities of the former Persian empire,
and the schools of painting originating in these cities.

SHRÁB:
Mirage.

SHUKRAAN: “
Thank you”.

SIDI:
Lord.

SIMOOM:
A hot, dry, dust-laden breeze blowing at intervals in
the desert.

SOUK:
Market, or market quarter.

SQALA:
Ramparts; fort.

SSALAMU 'LEKUM: “
Peace be upon you”.

SUFI:
A Muslim ascetic and mystic.

SUPRATOURS:
Express tour buses run by the national train company.

TABBAYT:
The finale of a
RWAI
performance.

TABIA:
Mud building material such as
PISÉ
.

TADELAKT:
Polished plaster surface made of powdered limestone and impermeable to water.

TAFILALT:
Region of date-palm oases in south-eastern Morocco, beginning in Erfoud, its principal town and gateway.

TAJINE:
A stew of meat and vegetables cooked slowly over a charcoal brazier in an earthenware dish with a conical lid, also called a tajine.

TAMASHEK:
The language shared by the
TUAREGS
and the Berbers.

TAM-TAM:
Bongos.

TAMSSUST:
A lively song; part of a
RWAI
performance.

TANJIA:
Meat cooked very slowly in an earthenware pot.

TAR AND TAARIJA:
Types of tambourine.

TASHILHAIT:
The Berber dialect spoken in the mountains of southern Morocco.

TASSILI:
Tassili n'Ajjer, “plateau of the rivers” (
TAMASHEK
), a massif in the Sahara in south-east Algeria.

THUJA:
A variety of wood used by the craftsmen of Essaouira.

TIZI:
Mountain pass.

TOURIQ:
Botanical ornamentation used in architecture, derived from the Arabo-Andalusian tradition and composed of interlacing floral, foliage and palmette patterns.

TREQ SALAMA: “
Bon voyage”.

TUAREG:
Nomadic Berber tribesmen from the Western Sahara.

WADI:
Riverbed that is dry or partially dry except during the rainy season; river; river valley; see
OUED
.

ZAHRA:
Venus.

ZELLIJ:
Geometrical mosaic tilework, typically arranged in colourful patterns.

ZEPHYR:
A soft gentle breeze, originating from Zephyros, the ancient Greek name for the west wind.

ZOUAQ:
Painting on wood.