The Renaming of Morocco under the French Protectorate and Its Repercussions on Maghrebian History and Identity

The Maghreb, shaped by a rich tapestry of identities and intricate historical evolutions, bears the profound imprint of the colonial period. Among the administrative decisions imposed by colonial powers, the renaming of Morocco in Arabic—from the Sultanate of Fez and Marrakech (سلطنة فاس و مراكش) to Morocco (المغرب) under the French Protectorate—stands out as an act with far-reaching consequences. Initially perceived as a pragmatic and purely administrative measure, this change has had a lasting impact on the region’s historical consciousness, as well as on the appropriation of figures and symbols essential to national identity.

Notably, this standardization of Morocco’s name fostered, in the collective imagination, a centralization of historical narratives that sometimes overshadowed or diminished the contributions of other Maghreb nations, particularly Algeria. This phenomenon has given rise to tensions regarding historical interpretation and the claim to influential figures such as Tariq Ibn Ziyad, Sidi Boumediene Al-Ghout, and even the Moroccan Gate in Jerusalem.

Historical and Administrative Context

Before the colonial era, Morocco was commonly referred to as Marrakech or Maghreb al-Aqsa (المغرب الأقصى), meaning the farthest West. This term, rooted in the geographical logic of the Islamic world, underscored its position as the westernmost extremity of the Arab-Muslim world.

With the establishment of the French Protectorate in 1912, the colonial administration adopted the name "Maroc", derived from "Marrakech," one of the territory’s most influential cities. This terminological simplification served administrative purposes, facilitating colonial governance and bureaucratic organization. However, it also contributed to the construction of a uniform national narrative, often at odds with the region’s more nuanced historical realities.

Impact of this Change on Algeria and Maghrebi Identity

1. A Blurring of Historical and Cultural Distinctions

The homogenization of names across the Maghreb contributed to the erosion of distinctions between the region’s historical entities. Algeria, with its complex past and numerous indigenous dynasties, has often seen its own historical figures and events absorbed or assimilated into external narratives.

2. The Appropriation of Key Historical Figures

The imposition of a unified Moroccan identity under the Protectorate led to a reinterpretation of history that, at times, resulted in contested claims over emblematic Maghrebi figures:

• Tariq Ibn Ziyad: The Berber general who led the conquest of Al-Andalus in 711 remains a subject of debate regarding his origins. Many historians agree he was from the Zenata tribes of Algeria, though some modern Moroccan accounts attempt to integrate him into Morocco’s historical narrative.
• Sidi Boumediene Al-Ghout: A major figure of Sufism, his influence is deeply rooted in Algeria, particularly in Tlemcen, where his mausoleum remains a revered pilgrimage site. However, some contemporary narratives seek to extend his legacy beyond Algerian borders.
• The Moroccan Gate in Jerusalem: A symbol of North African presence in Jerusalem, its association with Morocco has been reinforced over time, partly due to historical reconfigurations introduced during the colonial period.

3. Consequences on Historical Interpretation

The standardization of terminologies and historical narratives has introduced several challenges:

• Terminological confusion: The modification of official names has complicated historians' and researchers’ work, making it harder to analyze events and figures in their original contexts.
• Distortion of historical perception: The modern view of history, shaped by these changes, sometimes minimizes or reinterprets crucial contributions from Algerian and broader Maghrebi populations.

The Moroccan National Narrative and Its Contradictions

Since gaining independence in 1956, Morocco has gradually developed a national narrative emphasizing an ostensibly unbroken historical continuity dating back to the founding of the Idrissid State in 789. However, this narrative contains several inconsistencies.

1. A History Shaped by Foreign Dynasties

Contrary to the image of a millennia-old empire, Morocco’s dominant dynasties were often of external origin:

• The Almoravids: Originally from Mauritania, they conquered Morocco before expanding their empire into Al-Andalus.
• The Almohads: A Zenata dynasty born in Algeria, they took control of the Maghreb and Al-Andalus.
• The Marinids and Wattasids: Also from the Zenata tribes of Algeria, they established their rule in Morocco after the fall of the Almohads.
• The Saadians and the Alaouites: Of Arab origin, these dynasties were not indigenous to the Maghreb and had to consolidate their authority against often resistant local tribes.

2. An Internally Contested Authority

Far from being a centralized empire, the authority of Moroccan sultans was largely limited to the cities of Fez and Marrakech. Independent Berber tribes frequently resisted centralized rule. Walter B. Harris, in Morocco That Was, describes how sultans could not leave their cities without a massive military escort, as they risked attacks from rebellious tribes.

3. A Fabricated Expansionist Theory

Claims regarding Morocco’s historical expansion into Mauritania, Western Sahara, parts of Algeria, and Mali rest on fragile assertions. During the French conquests of these territories in the 19th and 20th centuries, no Moroccan military intervention was recorded in their defense.

Moreover, the concept of a "Greater Morocco" is a modern political construction, developed within French intelligence circles (SDEC) in the 1950s to hinder true regional integration in the Maghreb.

Conclusion

The renaming of Morocco under the French Protectorate was far more than a mere administrative adjustment. It played a crucial role in shaping a homogenized national narrative, at times obscuring the Maghreb’s historical diversity and leading to disputes over key figures and events.

Historical evidence suggests that the continuity claimed by the Moroccan national narrative is built on fragile foundations. A critical reassessment of colonial and postcolonial legacies is essential to fostering a more accurate and respectful understanding of Maghrebi identities.

Finally, the notion of a historically expansive Morocco conflicts with historical records and archival evidence. As the Sultan of Morocco himself acknowledged in his correspondence with the King of Spain in 1884, Moroccan authority did not extend beyond Oued Noun.

Thus, for the Maghreb to build a shared future, it is crucial to deconstruct biased narratives and work toward a mutual recognition of historical realities.