Sidi al-Ayachi
Encyclopedia
Sidi al-Ayachi, also el-Ayachi or al-Ayashi (-1641), was a Moroccan
marabout
and warlord, who decided to make secession from the Sultan of Morocco
Mulay Zaidan.
Since the death of Mulay al-Mansur in 1603, Morocco had progressively fallen into a state of anarchy, with the Sultan losing authority. Morocco was in a state of civil war
, and the Spanish
seized the opportunity to capture the cities of Larache
in 1610 and then al-Ma'mura in 1614.
Based in Salé
, Sidi al-Ayashi was leading a counter-offensive against Spain
, privateering against its shipping, and obtaining the help of the Moriscos and the English
. He managed to re-capture al-Mamura, and extended his power as far as Taza
.
In April 1627, Sidi al-Ayachi revolted against the Sultan and attacked the harbour of Salé
, which he captured and transformed into his own principality, the Republic of Bou Regreg, becoming the independent governor.
The English diplomat John Harrison
negotiated a Treaty with Sidi al-Ayachi in May 1627, a month later. Salé became a sort of independent Republic.
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...
marabout
Marabout
A marabout is a Muslim religious leader and teacher in West Africa, and in the Maghreb. The marabout is often a scholar of the Qur'an, or religious teacher. Others may be wandering holy men who survive on alms, Sufi Murshids , or leaders of religious communities...
and warlord, who decided to make secession from the Sultan of 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...
Mulay Zaidan.
Since the death of Mulay al-Mansur in 1603, Morocco had progressively fallen into a state of anarchy, with the Sultan losing authority. Morocco was in a state of civil war
Civil war
A civil war is a war between organized groups within the same nation state or republic, or, less commonly, between two countries created from a formerly-united nation state....
, and the Spanish
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
seized the opportunity to capture the cities of Larache
Larache
Larache is an important harbour town in the region Tanger-Tétouan in northern Morocco. It was founded in the 7th century when a group of Muslim soldiers from Arabia extended their camp at Lixus onto the south bank of the Loukkos River.In 1471, the Portuguese settlers from Asilah and Tangier drove...
in 1610 and then al-Ma'mura in 1614.
Based in Salé
Salé
Salé is a city in north-western Morocco, on the right bank of the Bou Regreg river, opposite the national capital Rabat, for which it serves as a commuter town...
, Sidi al-Ayashi was leading a counter-offensive against Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, privateering against its shipping, and obtaining the help of the Moriscos and the English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. He managed to re-capture al-Mamura, and extended his power as far as Taza
Taza
Taza is a city in northern Morocco, which occupies the corridor between the Rif mountians and Middle Atlas mountains, about 120 km east of Fez. It is located at 150 km from Nador, and 210 km from Oujda...
.
In April 1627, Sidi al-Ayachi revolted against the Sultan and attacked the harbour of Salé
Salé
Salé is a city in north-western Morocco, on the right bank of the Bou Regreg river, opposite the national capital Rabat, for which it serves as a commuter town...
, which he captured and transformed into his own principality, the Republic of Bou Regreg, becoming the independent governor.
The English diplomat John Harrison
John Harrison (diplomat)
John Harrison was an English representative in Morocco in the 17th century.James I of England sent John Harrisson to Muley Zaydan in Morocco in 1610 and again in 1613 and 1615 in order to obtain the release of English captives....
negotiated a Treaty with Sidi al-Ayachi in May 1627, a month later. Salé became a sort of independent Republic.