The Independent kingdom of Tazerwalt

There was sidi brahim, great-grandson of Sidi Ahmed-Or-Foamed. Sidi Ali, had not succeeded directly his father with the head of the house of Tazerwalt; it is one of his brothers, Sidi Brahim, which was selected. Since 1609, this one was in revolt against the Sultan, so much so that Moulay Zidane due to send to several thousands of men to Tarudant for rescue his wives and her treasure and to bring back them to Marrakech. However, the attempt at Sidi Brahim failed and he found death four years later in a combat against Sidi Yahya of Zouddagha (High-Atlas). It was on this occasion that Sidi Ali became the chief of Tazerwalt thanks to the support of two Marabouts of the Ida Oultit (Sidi Abdallah-Or-Yâqoub and Sidi Ahmed er-Rezmouki). Sidi Ali will remain in the shade until 1626, year of death of Sidi Yahya of Zouddagha which was the Master of the plain of Sus.

This one having been assassinated by the Sultan, Sidi Ali was the Master of Sus. His first conquests were done towards Dra and Tafilalt to obtain the control of the trade his authority was exerted then beyond the Atlas until Assif Tensift. An example of the importance which Sidi Ali had acquired is his correspondence with the King of England Charles I, this one writes to him to thank him for having repurchased and for having released from the English shipwrecked men. Sidi Ali answered him that it was committed ensuring the safety of the goods and the life of the English in agreement with the treaty signed formerly between the Queen Elizabeth and Ahmed El-Mansur. It is thus seen clearly that only, even with the eyes from abroad, who was able to maintain authority in the South was Sidi Ali! The question is “Why not take Marrakech and to reverse the Sultan, with the force of which he laid out instead of founding his capital in Iligh in Sus?

One can think that at the time, considering the means of communication, it was impossible simultaneously to exert a power in the North of the High-Atlas and the South to the oases. The latter being of capital importance for the trade, Sidi Ali perhaps preferred not to run of risk. Especially that it was in conflict in Tafilalt with the Zaouïa of Dila (Middle-Atlas), the other great force of the time. Thus same if it was not succeeds; the revolt of sidi brahim was one of those which make our history. His brother in spite of the conquest of territory never completely succeeded to dethrone the sultan.