Author: Magan Leystra
Photo Credits: Youssef El Berrichi
Roots Academy’s summer program students practiced their Arabic during a trip to the Bou Regreg River, an important landmark that separates the capital city of Rabat from the ancient city of Salé. Students put their language skills to the test by communicating entirely in Arabic with their instructors, tour guides, and classmates. Most importantly, they were able to take in the historical scenery and magnificence of the capital city.
The Rabat-Salé region was settled on the banks of the Bou Regreg during the third-century B.C.E. In 40 A.D, the Romans conquered the settlement, otherwise known as “Chellah,” and renamed it the settlement of Sala Colonia. The settlement remained in Roman control until 250 AD when the Romans ceded control to local Amazigh powers. It wasn’t until the 10th century A.D that the Zanatah Imazighen dynasty established the city of Salé, with Rabat following shortly thereafter during the reign of Almohad ruler ‘Abd el Mu’min in the 12th century. The Arabic word for “fortified
monastery,” El-Ribat served as a quartering venue for the Almohad troops during their conquest of Spain and was later named Ribat El-Fath or “Camp of Conquest” by the Almohad sultan Abu Yusuf Ya’qoub Al Mansour. It was during this time that the city saw great development, notably through the construction of the Great Mosque, with remains still located today in the famous Tower of Hassan (Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica).
Beginning in the 17th century, the Rabat-Salé community would become a place of refuge for Andalusian Moors fleeing the Spanish Reconquista (Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica). The city of Salé in particular became home to numerous groups of Barbary pirates who traversed the Atlantic Ocean in search of commercial goods. Rabat, on the other hand, would go on to become the administrative capital of Morocco during the era of the French colonization, a status that was maintained following independence in 1956. Today, Rabat remains the administrative capital of Morocco, separated from its sister city Salé by the Bou Regreg River (Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica). Scroll down to find more information about Roots’ kayaking trip to this historical landmark!
The Bou Regreg River (Arabic: نهر أبو رقراق) is home to a large number of marine life species, including Southern Calamari, Scorpaena Neglecta, and Striped Mullet (Fishing in the Oued Bou Regreg). It follows that the river is known for traditional fishing (الصيد التقليدي) using a small boat called a “fluka,” which is another popular activity for tourists in the Rabat-Salé region in addition to kayaking (pictured here). Visit Rabat and enroll in a course at Roots Academy to build your Arabic language skills in an interactive setting.
Cited Sources:
Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica. “Rabat.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., www.britannica.com/place/Rabat.
“Fishing in Oued Bou Regreg.” Fishbrain, fishbrain.com/fishing-waters/Cwypom65/oued-bou-regreg.