The stories of the Rif told by the mud homes of Belarbi
The city of Nador has changed like all the cities on the Mediterranean coast. And although it still retains its characteristic Rifian charm, there are things that will never be the same again.
To discover this past world we have to immerse ourselves in 'The Mud Homes', a book where we will find a Nador from the seventies, full of life in the heart of the Rif.
The author, Hassan Berlarbi, narrates with great delicacy the humble life of the Rif people, the stories of the most peculiar characters of the neighbourhood and the historical figures of childhood that have produced infinite admiration.
Our story is situated next to Melilla, a village (which is now a city) with an enviable beach and beautiful views of the Sibe Jbel Gourougou hills. The author, who uses a direct and clear language, opens his memories to the reader to describe all the details of his childhood.
Thanks to this book we can learn more about the secrets kept by the mud houses in the streets of Nador. During the story we will find all kinds of sensations, from the most beautiful stories to the saddest and hardest within the context of the Morocco of the last century.
Some call Nador "the forgotten city". But today we know a little more about Nador thanks to the story told by a curious child, Belarbi. Playing in those winding streets, growing up in the markets and the riff-fields, and understanding the loss of the older ones were the author's everyday life in his childhood.
Belarbi remembers with tenderness nice anecdotes lived with the Pharaoh, known as 'the liar', and the crazy woman of the village, a surprising woman who dismantles the Rif stereotypes. She also shares moments of fear, such as the fear of the night and the shadows that are drawn on the walls of old houses.
This journey shows us a special culture, 20th century Rif Morocco in full transformation. Then and now, the Rif has a lot to teach us and, thanks to stories like the one in Belarbi, we can discover new stories to relive.
The author, a native of Nador, has been a doctor of chemical engineering since 1999 and teaches at the University of Almería. He was awarded the Euro-Arab Chair in Environment and Sustainable Development in 2007 and is a Corresponding Member of the Hassan II Academy of Science and Technology. His career includes moments in the world of science and literature, with a past that was very committed to the well-being of the planet. He is also President of the Environment and Education Association.
The book is now available in bookshops, and the translation has been done by Mohamed El Morabet. The edition has been in charge of the Diwan Publishing & Bookstore.
