Zakander City Study of its General Conditions

Abstract

The city of Zekander or Zegendar is one of the cities of the far west of Morocco, specifically in the Souss region. It was also known as the city of metals due to its fame for silver, as the city contained silver mines. This made the city an important center for this metal, which is used in the manufacture of the currency circulating in the Maghreb, namely the dirhams, as they are made of silver. This prompted the Almohad caliphs to fortify the city for fear of bandits and thieves. Prominent figures emerged from it, including scholars who had favor and influence, in addition to one of its people declaring an emirate that ruled for eighty years. The city of Zekander played a political role, especially in the emirate of Ali ibn Yadar al-Zekandari, as it and the cities of Sous served as a stronghold and fortress against the raids of the Almohads and Marinids.