Cultural Heritage

Rabat, June 14, 2022.

A praise poem for Bab Al Ouidaya - by Elsa Wiehe

It's 6 am. I extend myself out from the Kasbah, tall.

Waiting, next to my almost twin brother, to be opened

Waiting, for the past 823 years.

Functional or ceremonial?

Strong, adorned. Defenseless. Tall.

The glory of the Almohad I have seen but I did not help them in their fight.

Mighty and vulnerable. Abu Yusuf Ya'qub al-Mansur wanted me beautiful.

Darj Wa Ktaf envelop me - patterns of Islamic beauty.

and scallops!

and eels! Subversive?

Why would I be a named after a Wadi (valley) when I stand so tall?

I had to wait 600 years for my name to solidify thanks to the Oudayas Guich tribe

They ran away from Fez, from the Alaoui and found refuge in my Kasbah.

And the enslaved people? They help build me! Don't. forget. about. them.