Tafilet, Region

1694. The great historical, geographical and poetical dictionary by Louis Moreri.

Tafilet, a Kingdom of Biledulgerid in Africk, beyond Mount Atlas. It is a very sandy Country, and almost every where barren, by reason of the excessive Heat most part of the Year. It produces no Wheat, and the Barley which they sow along the Rivers grows not without a great deal of pains, none but Cherifs or Princes, and the Alcayds or Governours, can afford to buy it; and the People live on Dates and Camels Flesh. The Provinces which depend on this Kingdom are Touet towards the East, Dras towards the South; with the Deserts of Sara, which contain the People of Ferquela, Toudega, Liguerisy, Toguedout, Sedrat, Mougouna, Secoura and Hadet, each of whom dwell near Rivers of the same Name. There is no City but Tafilet in this Kingdom. The People are of three sorts, the Cherifs, the Arabians, the Barbarians: The first say that they are descended of Mahumet, and dwell in the Castles: The Arabians came from Arabia with their Prince Mouley Meheres, and pitch in the Plains in Tents. The Barbarians are the ancient Inhabitants, and live in the Villages. These are a big and tawny People, breed Cattel in the Mountains, and exchange them with the Arabians for Dates. This Country abounds in Dromedaries, so admirably swift, that they will make more way in twenty four Hours than a good Horse can in seven or eight days. Mouley Archy King of Tafilet is become famous by his great Conquests in this Age. See Mouley Archy. Moliette Hist. of the Kingdom of Marot.