Safi, Morocco
Encyclopedia
Safi is a city in western Morocco
on the Atlantic Ocean
. The capital of the Doukkala-Abda
Region, it has a population of 282,227 (2004 census), but is also the centre of an agglomeration
which has an estimated 793,000 inhabitants (1987).
Safi is the main fishing port for the country's sardine
industry, and also exports phosphate
s, textiles and ceramics
. During the Second World War, Safi was one of the landing sites for Operation Torch
.
and comes from the root "Sefi/Asefi" which means to flood, spill or pour in Berber.
11th-century geographer Al-Idrisi gave another explanation to the origin the name "Asfi" as he linked it to the Arabic word "Asaf" (regret); Asafi (my regret). He based this claim on a strange story about some sailors from al-Andalus
who sailed to discover the other end of the Atlantic ocean but got lost and landed on some island where the natives captured them and sent them back on their ships blindfolded. The ships eventually ended on the shores of "Asfi" and locals helped the lost sailors and told them that they were two months away from their native land al-Andalus
. Upon hearing this one of the sailors responded by saying: "Wa asafi" (Oh my regret). Al-Idrisi wrote that from that time the city carried the name "Asafi". This story is thought to be an imaginary legend and thus is an unlikely explanation to the origin of the name.
The city was under Portuguese
rule 1488 and 1541, it is believed that they abandoned it to the Saadians (who were at war with the them) since it proved to be difficult to defend from land attacks. The Portuguese
fortress built to protect the city is still there today.
After 1541, the city played a major role in Morocco
as one of the safest and biggest sea ports in the country. Many ambassadors to the saadians and Alaouite kings druing the 16-18th centuries, came to Morocco via Asfi, its proximity to Marrakech
then capital of Morocco helped expand the maritime trade in the city.
Louis De Chénier consul of the French court in Morocco in 1767, reported that the city was the only usable seaport at the time.
A French Navy
captive Bidé de Maurville, who wrote the account of his stay in Morocco
in his 1765 book Relations de l'affaire de Larache, reported the presence of an important number of foreign trading houses in the city : Dutch, Danish, British and French.
After the Sultan Mohammed ben Abdallah built the city of Mogador
, he banned foreign trade in all Moroccan Ports except in his newly built city. Consequently Asfi stopped playing a leading role in the Moroccan trade.
Safi's patron saint is Abu Mohammed Salih.
, where stretches of beaches run all the way along the route (Lalla Fatna, Beddouza, Iyir)
are popular sports in Asfi. The local football team Olympic Safi, are competing in Morocco's premier football division, Botola since 2004.
The Rugby Union
team of the same name is one of Morocco's best, having won the "Coupe du Trône" several times.
Morocco
Morocco , officially the Kingdom of Morocco , is a country located in North Africa. It has a population of more than 32 million and an area of 710,850 km², and also primarily administers the disputed region of the Western Sahara...
on the Atlantic Ocean
Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's oceanic divisions. With a total area of about , it covers approximately 20% of the Earth's surface and about 26% of its water surface area...
. The capital of the Doukkala-Abda
Doukkala-Abda
Doukkala-Abda ) is one of the sixteen regions of Morocco. It is situated in west-central Morocco. It covers an area of 13,285 km² and has a population of 1,984,039 . The capital is Safi.The region is made up into the following provinces :...
Region, it has a population of 282,227 (2004 census), but is also the centre of an agglomeration
Agglomeration
In the study of human settlements, an urban agglomeration is an extended city or town area comprising the built-up area of a central place and any suburbs linked by continuous urban area. In France, INSEE the French Statistical Institute, translate it as "Unité urbaine" which means continuous...
which has an estimated 793,000 inhabitants (1987).
Safi is the main fishing port for the country's sardine
Sardine
Sardines, or pilchards, are several types of small, oily fish related to herrings, family Clupeidae. Sardines are named after the Mediterranean island of Sardinia, around which they were once abundant....
industry, and also exports phosphate
Phosphate
A phosphate, an inorganic chemical, is a salt of phosphoric acid. In organic chemistry, a phosphate, or organophosphate, is an ester of phosphoric acid. Organic phosphates are important in biochemistry and biogeochemistry or ecology. Inorganic phosphates are mined to obtain phosphorus for use in...
s, textiles and ceramics
Pottery
Pottery is the material from which the potteryware is made, of which major types include earthenware, stoneware and porcelain. The place where such wares are made is also called a pottery . Pottery also refers to the art or craft of the potter or the manufacture of pottery...
. During the Second World War, Safi was one of the landing sites for Operation Torch
Operation Torch
Operation Torch was the British-American invasion of French North Africa in World War II during the North African Campaign, started on 8 November 1942....
.
Etymology
The city's name is "Asfi" which was latinized as "Safi". "Asfi" means the flood in BerberBerber languages
The Berber languages are a family of languages indigenous to North Africa, spoken from Siwa Oasis in Egypt to Morocco , and south to the countries of the Sahara Desert...
and comes from the root "Sefi/Asefi" which means to flood, spill or pour in Berber.
11th-century geographer Al-Idrisi gave another explanation to the origin the name "Asfi" as he linked it to the Arabic word "Asaf" (regret); Asafi (my regret). He based this claim on a strange story about some sailors from al-Andalus
Al-Andalus
Al-Andalus was the Arabic name given to a nation and territorial region also commonly referred to as Moorish Iberia. The name describes parts of the Iberian Peninsula and Septimania governed by Muslims , at various times in the period between 711 and 1492, although the territorial boundaries...
who sailed to discover the other end of the Atlantic ocean but got lost and landed on some island where the natives captured them and sent them back on their ships blindfolded. The ships eventually ended on the shores of "Asfi" and locals helped the lost sailors and told them that they were two months away from their native land al-Andalus
Al-Andalus
Al-Andalus was the Arabic name given to a nation and territorial region also commonly referred to as Moorish Iberia. The name describes parts of the Iberian Peninsula and Septimania governed by Muslims , at various times in the period between 711 and 1492, although the territorial boundaries...
. Upon hearing this one of the sailors responded by saying: "Wa asafi" (Oh my regret). Al-Idrisi wrote that from that time the city carried the name "Asafi". This story is thought to be an imaginary legend and thus is an unlikely explanation to the origin of the name.
History
Safi, under the name Safim (Zaffim or Asfi) is one of the oldest cities in Morocco, hence its foundation date is unknown. It might have been founded by the Carthaginians.The city was under Portuguese
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
rule 1488 and 1541, it is believed that they abandoned it to the Saadians (who were at war with the them) since it proved to be difficult to defend from land attacks. The Portuguese
Portuguese people
The Portuguese are a nation and ethnic group native to the country of Portugal, in the west of the Iberian peninsula of south-west Europe. Their language is Portuguese, and Roman Catholicism is the predominant religion....
fortress built to protect the city is still there today.
After 1541, the city played a major role in Morocco
Morocco
Morocco , officially the Kingdom of Morocco , is a country located in North Africa. It has a population of more than 32 million and an area of 710,850 km², and also primarily administers the disputed region of the Western Sahara...
as one of the safest and biggest sea ports in the country. Many ambassadors to the saadians and Alaouite kings druing the 16-18th centuries, came to Morocco via Asfi, its proximity to Marrakech
Marrakech
Marrakech or Marrakesh , known as the "Ochre city", is the most important former imperial city in Morocco's history...
then capital of Morocco helped expand the maritime trade in the city.
Louis De Chénier consul of the French court in Morocco in 1767, reported that the city was the only usable seaport at the time.
A French Navy
French Navy
The French Navy, officially the Marine nationale and often called La Royale is the maritime arm of the French military. It includes a full range of fighting vessels, from patrol boats to a nuclear powered aircraft carrier and 10 nuclear-powered submarines, four of which are capable of launching...
captive Bidé de Maurville, who wrote the account of his stay in Morocco
Morocco
Morocco , officially the Kingdom of Morocco , is a country located in North Africa. It has a population of more than 32 million and an area of 710,850 km², and also primarily administers the disputed region of the Western Sahara...
in his 1765 book Relations de l'affaire de Larache, reported the presence of an important number of foreign trading houses in the city : Dutch, Danish, British and French.
After the Sultan Mohammed ben Abdallah built the city of Mogador
Essaouira
Mogador redirects here, for the hamlet in Surrey see Mogador, Surrey.Essaouira is a city in the western Moroccan economic region of Marrakech-Tensift-Al Haouz, on the Atlantic coast. Since the 16th century, the city has also been known by its Portuguese name of Mogador or Mogadore...
, he banned foreign trade in all Moroccan Ports except in his newly built city. Consequently Asfi stopped playing a leading role in the Moroccan trade.
Safi's patron saint is Abu Mohammed Salih.
Attractions
The central medina is a traditional Moroccan market. It is closely affiliated with pottery, and throughout the market vases, plates and other items are all made from clay and are popular with tourists. Safi has a beach, although it is recommended to travel north along the coastal road (Sidi Bouzid) towards OualidiaOualidia
Oualidia is a little coastal village in Morocco situated between El Jadida and Safi. It owns the largest bird habitat....
, where stretches of beaches run all the way along the route (Lalla Fatna, Beddouza, Iyir)
Sport
Football and rugbyRugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
are popular sports in Asfi. The local football team Olympic Safi, are competing in Morocco's premier football division, Botola since 2004.
The Rugby Union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
team of the same name is one of Morocco's best, having won the "Coupe du Trône" several times.
Notable people from Safi
- Abderrahim GoumriAbderrahim GoumriAbderrahim Goumri is a Moroccan long-distance runner. He has competed in cross country, track and road running, but is now a marathon specialist....
: MoroccanMoroccoMorocco , officially the Kingdom of Morocco , is a country located in North Africa. It has a population of more than 32 million and an area of 710,850 km², and also primarily administers the disputed region of the Western Sahara...
long-distance runner - Abraham Ben ZmirroAbraham Ben ZmirroAbraham ibn Zimra was a Spanish rabbi, physician and diplomat who fled to Morocco following the Spanish inquisition....
: 15th century rabbiRabbiIn Judaism, a rabbi is a teacher of Torah. This title derives from the Hebrew word רבי , meaning "My Master" , which is the way a student would address a master of Torah... - Abu Mohammed Salih: 12th century Sufi leader
- Aharon NahmiasAharon NahmiasAharon-Rafael Nahmias was an Israeli politician who served as mayor of Safed from 1973 until 1983, and as a member of the Knesset for the Alignment from 1981 until 1988.-Biography:Born in Safi in Morocco in 1932, Nahmias made aliyah to Israel in 1951...
: IsraelIsraelThe State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
i politician - Ahmed Ghayby: Member of the Moroccan football federation and president of Olympic Safi
- Brahim BoulamiBrahim BoulamiBrahim Boulami is a Moroccan athlete who had set two world records in the 3,000 meter steeplechase, 7:55.28 and 7:53.17. The latter was overturned because he tested positive for the banned performance enhancing drug EPO...
& Khalid BoulamiKhalid BoulamiKhalid Boulami is a former long-distance runner from Morocco. Most notably he won a bronze medal in the 5000 metres event at the 1996 Summer Olympics.He is the older brother of Brahim Boulami.- Achievements :...
: MoroccanMoroccoMorocco , officially the Kingdom of Morocco , is a country located in North Africa. It has a population of more than 32 million and an area of 710,850 km², and also primarily administers the disputed region of the Western Sahara...
Athletes - Driss BenhimaDriss BenhimaDriss Benhima is the Chairman of the Board and CEO of Royal Air Maroc, the national airline of Morocco.-Career:Benhima joined Office Cherifien des Phosphates , Moroccan state-owned phosphate world leader, as a junior field engineer in Khouribga....
: Current CEO of Royal Air MarocRoyal Air MarocRoyal Air Maroc is the flag carrier airline of Morocco, headquartered on the grounds of Casablanca-Anfa Airport in Casablanca...
and president of Hawd Assafi, Safi-based non-profit organization - Edmond Amran El MalehEdmond Amran El MalehEdmond Amran El Maleh was one of the best known Moroccan writers.-Biography:El Maleh was born in Safi, Morocco to a Jewish family from Safi. He moved to Paris in 1965, working there as a journalist and a teacher of philosophy.He only began writing in 1980, at the age of 63, traveling back and...
: Famous Moroccan writer - Michel GalabruMichel GalabruMichel Louis Edmond Galabru is a French actor born on 27 October 1922 in Safi, Morocco.-Career:Over the course of his career, Galabru appeared in over 200 movies and worked with such renowned directors as Bertrand Blier, Costa-Gavras, Luc Besson , and Jean-Luc Godard...
: French Actor - Mohammed Bajeddoub: Famous Moroccan Andalusian Music singerAndalusian classical musicAndalusian classical music is a style of Moorish music found across North Africa in Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia. It originates out of the music of Al-Andalus between the 9th and 15th centuries....
- Mohamed BenhimaMohamed BenhimaMohamed Benhima, born in 1924 in Safi from Taïbi Benhima and Rkia Benhida, was Prime Minister of Morocco between July 7, 1967 and October 6, 1969. He died on November 23rd 1992 in Rabat. He was also Minister of Education and Minister of the Interior....
: Former Prime Minister of Morocco, Minister of Education and Minister of the Interior. - Mohamed Mjid: former longtime president of the Royal Moroccan Tennis Federation
- Samy ElmaghribiSamy ElmaghribiSamy Elmaghribi was a Moroccan musician. He lived in Paris and Montreal. He died on 9 March 2008. - References :...
: Moroccan Musician - Uri SebagUri SebagUri Sebag is an Israeli former politician who served as a member of the Knesset for the Alignment during the 1980s.-Biography:Born in Safi in Morocco, Sebag studied metallurgy at a technical high school in Casablanca. He was later certified as an engineer, and graduated from the Public...
: IsraelIsraelThe State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
i politician