Saturday 25 August 2012

Morocco's History in a Timeline

Saturday greetings,

yesterday we started with a joke, today we start with a BBC Video. Have lovely 60 minutes to get the feel of  Morocco. Lovely people, amazing buildings and such a diverse Landscape.




Poem by Wafae Akioud, Morocco


JOURNEY TO MY HEART

They say …
There is a mysterious place
With no roads, no way
That just floats into space

They tell …
About the beauty of this hell
A fire in an ice shell
A moon under a cloud’s veil

Some even wondered if it is real
For they still believe what they can feel
As it left the bravest knights in steel
With wounds that won’t seem to heal

And just when hope was wept
And this place, from people’s memories swept
You showed up in your shining armour
That is your dazzling smile and glamour

You said with no word
All what was needed to be heard
Brave, kind and gentle
Pure and loving, you’re an Angel

Like a free butterfly, I was caught in your lure
As for all my illnesses you seem to be the cure
For if I ever get parallelized
By the gleam of your starry eyes
You’re kiss is the only key
That can magically set me free

And as you asked me on one knee
“ In this place , please let me be
Give me your hand and forever be mine
Let me break the ice, blow off the clouds with the warmth of my sunshine “

I said:” To this place I only have one ticket
It was lost, but you found it
So now we will never be apart
As you take the everlasting journey to my heart “




Morocco's Timeline

10,000-
5,000 BC

Capsian and Mouilian Man spread across the Maghreb. 
Rock carvings in Oukaimeden.
1100 BCPhoenician settlements in Morocco during the Bronze Age. First trading port is in Lixus near Larache.
500 BCCarthaginians take over and expand the Moroccan Phoenician settlements. Remains of this period can be seen in Lixus and in the Rabat Archaeological Museum.
146 BCCarthage falls to Rome in the Third Punic War. Roman influence spreads into the Berber kingdoms of Mauretania-Numidia.
27 BCMorocco comes under direct Roman rule during the reign of Emperor Caligula. Volubilis developed as a provincial capital; extensive ruins can still be seen there. Roman mosaics can be seen in the Tetouan and Rabat museums.

                                     




622




  
Islam founded by Muhammad in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, and quickly spreads throughout the Middle East.
c.705Islam comes to Morocco when Arab rule is established in the north under Moussa Ibn Nasr.
711Moussa Ibn Nasr leads the Berber invasion of Spain.

                 
788Moulay Idriss founds the first Moroccan Arab dynasty, along with the cities of Moulay Idriss and Fes.
807-36Rule of Moulay Idriss II. Fes further developed; refugees from Kairouan and Andalusia settle there; Kairaouine Mosque built.









1062Youssef bin Tachfine founds the first great Berber dynasty and establishes his capital in Marrakesh. The fine Almoravid Koubba in Marrakesh is the only monument surviving from this period.


1090Almoravids invade Spain.
1120sIbn Toumert sets up a ribat in Tin Mal in the High Atlas. The ruined mosque of Tin Mal can be visited (non-Muslims may enter).
1145-47Abd el Moumen captures Fes, then Marrakesh. Extensive building of walls, gates and minarets in this period, notably the minaret ofKoutoubia Mosque in Marrakesh.
1195Yacoub el Mansour (1184-99) extends Almohad rule to Spain and east to Tripoli. La Giralda in Seville constructed and new capital established at Rabat, where the Hassan Tower and Oudaia Gate are lasting monuments.
1212Almohads defeated in Spain at Las Navas de Tolosa.
1250sAbou Youssef Yacoub (1258-86) establishes power in Morocco. Monuments from this period include: Zaouia and mausoleum in Rabat; new city (El Djedid) in Fes; medersas built in Fes, Meknes and Salé.
1330-60Abou el Hassan (1331-51) and Abou Inan (1351-58) are two of the most successful Merenid rulers; they extend rule briefly to Tunisia.
1415Portuguese begin attacking Moroccan coast, taking Ceuta and then other cities. Portuguese-era remains in Morocco include a cistern in El Jadida and walls and remains in Azzemour, Asilah and Safi.
1465Merenid viziers known as the Wattasids usurp power. Chefchaouen is built and Tetouan refounded by refugees.
1465Fall of Granada, the last Muslim kingdom in Spain. Jewish and Muslim refugees settle in Morocco.
15-16CThe Marabouts establish zaouias, controlling parts of the country.
1554Mohammed esh Sheikh (d.1557) founds the Saadian dynasty in Marrakesh.
1579Accession of Ahmed el Mansour (1578-1603) after the Battle of Three Kings. Mansour goes on to conquer Timbuktu and the gold and slave routes to the south. In this period, the Saadian TombsBen Youssef Medersa and El Badi Palace are built in Marrakesh and pavilion extensions are added to Kairaouine Mosque in Fes.
1627The pirate Republic of Bou Regreg set up by Andalusian refugees. Rabat Medina built.
1669-presentAlaouite Dynasty
1672-1727Rule of Moulay Ismail, who imposes the Alaouite Dynasty in Morocco. New imperial capital established in Meknes, with monuments including Ismail's mausoleum. Kasbahs and forts built; palaces constructed in Tangier and Rabat. Tomb of Moulay Idriss rebuilt.
18-19CRule of Sidi Mohammed (1757-90) and Moulay Suleiman (1792-1822). Grand mosques rebuilt, especially in Marrakesh. Many pavilions and gardens in Marrakesh date from early 18C. Extensive palace building, such as El Badi in Marrakesh and Palais Jamai in Fes.
1860Dispute over Spain's Ceuta enclave. Spain declares war, wins a further enclave and an enlarged Ceuta.
1894Death of Moulay Hassan, the last effective sultan of "Old Morocco."
1912Treaty of Fes establishes the French and Spanish Protectorates (1912-56). European Villes Nouvelles (new towns) are built outside the old medinas. Mauresque architecture developed for administrative buildings.
1912T'hami el Glaoui becomes pasha of Marrakesh and is used by the French to conquer southern tribes. Glaoui palaces built in Telouet and Marrakesh; kasbahs built throughout southern Morocco.


1921Tribal rebellion in Rif mountains under Abd El Krim is suppressed by French and Spanish troops.
1943Nationalist Istiqlal party formed in Fes.
1956Morocco gains independence.
1961Accession of King Hassan II (1961-99)
1975Green March into Western Sahara. New royal palaces built in all major cities.
1997Democratic elections in Morocco. Hassan II Mosque completed in Casablanca.
1999Accession of King Mohammed VI.
2003Over 40 killed when suicide bombers attack several sites in Casablanca, including a Spanish restaurant and Jewish community center. Moroccans react with public marches against anti-Semitism and hatred.
Feb. 2004Powerful earthquake hits northern Morocco, killing more than 500.
July 2004Free trade agreement with the US comes into effect.
April 2007Three suicide bombers blow themselves up in Casablanca, a few weeks after a suicide blast in an internet cafe.

Bye bye and have an awesome saturday

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