Jebala

ethnic group
group=Jbala


caption=A Jebala woman at a marketplace
poptime=1,104,000 (year 2000 census)fact|date=January 2008
popplace=Northern Morocco
mostly concentrated in the Rif Mountains
a small number in urban areas.
rels=Muslim (98,8%)
Bahá'í (0.1%)
Christian (<1%) [cite web |url=http://www.global12project.com/2004/profiles/p_code6/2155.html |title=Prayer Profile - The Jebala Arab of Morocco |accessdate=2007-04-21 |format=html |work=Global 12 Project ]
langs=Arabic
related= arab

Jebala (also Moroccan Arabic:Jbala and Spanish:Yebala) refers to the north-western region of Morocco, also known as the Western Rif. Jbala people are mountainous people who live mainly in the mountains around the cities of Tetouan, Tangier, Chefchaouen and Ouezzane,Taounate, Ksar el Kebir.

Etymology

The word "Jbala" comes from Moroccan Arabic "Jbel" which means "mountain". Thus Jbala means "mountain people". A man or boy is called a "Jebli" while a woman or a girl is called a "Jebliya".

Origins

The Jbala are of middle-eastern arab origin and Berbere.It is important to stress, that they in Morocco are regarded as arabic and not berber. The berbers in this area are the tarifit speaking people of the area to the east of Ketama and Targuist. West of that all is Jeballah.They often live in the northern Morocco and they are a majority in cities such as Tangier,Tetouan,Larache,Chefchaouen

Culture

Music

Clothing

The traditional clothing for women includes shawls called "mendils" made from cotton or wool. These rectangular shawls are often woven in stripes of white and red in the region. They are wrapped around the waist to form skirts. They are also used as shawls and securing holding babies or goods on the back or front of the body.

The traditional man's outer garment is the djellaba, a one piece cotton or woollen cloak with a pointed hood. In the Jebela region the wool is usually un-dyed so dark brown and off-white colours are common. White djellabas are worn for religious festivals.

The Jelaba favour pointed toed leather slippers. Natural light brown, yellow and white are the most common colours.

Reed hats are another traditional feature of Jebala dress for both men and women. Women's hats are often adorned with woven woollen tassels and roping of black, white and red in variations.

External links

* [http://membres.lycos.fr/taktoka/video/ghayta2.wmv A video pf a Jahjouka musical group]

References and notes