This essay analyzes the colonial memories and contemporary narratives of the Moroccan city of Al-Hoceima in order to understand complex Riffian identity and its current dilemmas. The research of Spanishness, Amazighness, and Moroccaness feelings seen from a historical perspective allows us to identify people's choices from a local to a global scale, and makes the Spanish colonial imprints and the controversial effects of the Riffian's national identifications on the Alaoui state distinguishable. While comparing the Spanish and Riffian versions and experiences, a city populated basically by Spaniards is revealed. This occurred up until independence, when Al-Hoceima started to be profusely settled by Riffians, emerging as a centre for social and political claims thanks to the connection established between the Riffian and Amazigh identity. The approach explains why today some Riffian voices affirm they prefer Spaniards to Arabs, underlining that the Rif is not part of the Moroccan state.

This work was supported by the Research and Development Projects (Ministry of Economy-Competitiveness, Spain) “African Memories: Reconstructing Spanish Colonial Practices and their Imprint in Morocco and Equatorial Guinea. Towards a Spanish-African Cultural Heritage,” HAR2015–63626–P (2016–18) (MINECO/FEDER, UE), and “Enriching European Cultural Heritage from Cultural Diversity and Collaborative Participation,” EUIN2017–85108 (2017–2019), both directed by Yolanda Aixelà-Cabré.

Peer reviewed