Her Moumou: ~60 km

     

      Since I am in my own class, my teachers and I have a lot of time to chat about things that we find interesting. Recently we talked about Her Moumou's location (what else?). Si Taoufiq (my teacher) is somewhat of an expert in the region since he taught at the primary school in Menzel for a few years. His opinion is that Zaouia Bougrine is the best avenue of approach to find Her Moumou. He helped me draw a map in my notes of the area and shared his knowledge of the area's history as well.

      Apparently, there is a reason for the dense population of Amazigh tribes in the area around the mountain, above and beyond the general predominance of Amazigh culture throughout the country. The Amazigh tribes who now live to the Southeast of Fez once held settlements where Fez is today. In the late 700's AD, Idriss I (born Idriss Ibn Abdullah, died Moulay Idriss Zerhoun) founded Fez, expelling the Amazigh tribes in the process. Now all that remains is a dedicated Amazigh cemetery at the base of the mountain (Mount Zalagh) that hangs over Fez.

Now to the map.

I made it myself!

      It appears that there are two ways to approach Zaouia. The first, easiest, and probably most boring is to take a Grande Taxi (4 seats, 6 passengers) Northeast from Fez towards Taza, then to turn off towards Zaouia.

      The other option is to take a taxi from Fez to Sefrou, another from Sefrou to Menzel, and then a third from Menzel to Zaouia. This way takes us through a gorge on the Sebou River, and the headwaters are accessible from Menzel. So, this is the way to go.

A final note. I am confused. Some Moroccans seem to use Her Moumou and Buiblane interchangeably for the name of the mountain. Others, however, make a distinction between the two, and Say that Buiblane is far to the east of Her Moumou.