Azib

views updated

AZIB

Land ownership in precolonial Morocco in a system similar to feudalism.

In precolonial Morocco, azib was land property owned by a sharif, for whom people called azzaba would work. Azib land is usually conceded by the makhzan (state) to some shorfa. Azzaba would work within a relationship of servitude toward the sharif to whom they owed respect and obedience from father to son. In case anyone wanted to leave the azib, they had to seek permission from the landowner. The most important azib were to be found in the Gharb, such as the azib of Ahl Wazzan.

see also gharb; morocco; sharif; shorfa.

Rahma Bourqia

More From encyclopedia.com