The Jews of the Mellahs in the Moroccan Atlas during the Pre- Colonial Period in British Orientalist Writings

Abstract

The Jews of Morocco have always been a major component of Moroccan society, settling in the country during periods preceding the birth of Christ. As they quickly assimilated into the local population and engaged in building and revitalizing social and economic lives, they also contributed, side by side, to shaping the political and diplomatic landmarks of the country since the fifth and sixteenth centuries AD, in particular. In order to ensure the security and freedom of the Jews in practicing their religious rites and revitalizing their economic activities in general, the Moroccan sultans initiated the construction of a special neighborhood for the Jews known in Moroccan circles as «The Mellah». In this study, we will attempt to discuss the history of the construction of the «Mellahs» and the reasons behind it before proceeding to explore the depiction provided by British orientalist writings about these Moroccan Mellahs during the period before the French protectorate.