Ancient Competencies

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 Colonial period

BOUAMAMA Cheikh

Bouamama_Cheikh.jpg

War Leader and Spiritual Guide

Resistance fighter against French colonization in Algeria

Origins & Education

Cheikh Bouamama (in Arabic: الشيخ بوعمامة), whose full name was Mohammed ben Larbi ben Cheikh ben Horma ben Mohammed ben Brahim ben Attaj ben Sidi Cheikh Abdelkader, was born in 1833 in Ksar Hammam Fougani in Figuig, Morocco, and died on October 7, 1908, in El Aïoun Sidi Mellouk, in the region of Oujda, Morocco, near the Algerian border.

He belonged to the Ouled Sidi Cheikh tribe, a powerful maraboutic tribe originally from El Abiodh Sidi Cheikh in Algeria, which before the French conquest of Algeria collected taxes on behalf of the Dey of Algiers. The influence of this tribe extended beyond Algerian borders, reaching Morocco, Niger, and Mali.

Cheikh Bouamama came from the Ouled Sidi Taj family. His family lived in Figuig where his father, Cheikh Larbi ben El Horma, traded in burnouses and jewelry between the region of Figuig and Moghrar Tahtani.

Spiritual and Military Career

Cheikh Bouamama received Sufi instruction in his youth in Figuig, which shaped his spiritual dimension and his influence among local populations. Starting in 1875, he began preparations to organize resistance against the French presence.

In 1881, following the assassination of Lieutenant Weinbrenner near El Bayadh (formerly Géryville), Bouamama launched an insurrection against French forces. This resistance, which lasted nearly three decades, spread throughout the southwestern region of Algeria, particularly in the regions of Naâma, El Bayadh, Saïda, and extended as far as Tlemcen.

His military strategy was characterized by lightning attacks against French positions, followed by quick withdrawals into the desert where his knowledge of the terrain gave him a decisive advantage. Among his most famous battles are those of Tazina (May 10, 1881), Chellala (June 1881), and Fendi (April 1882).

Distinctions & Recognition

Although fighting against colonial France, Cheikh Bouamama earned the respect of certain French officers for his qualities as a strategist and war leader. Colonel Lyautey wrote in 1902 that Bouamama was "a true leader and a determined man of war, ready to sacrifice himself for the success of his operations against the French."

His name is honored today in Algeria where many streets, squares, and institutions bear his name. He is considered one of the national heroes of Algerian resistance against French colonization.

Impact & Influence

The insurrection led by Cheikh Bouamama is one of the longest and most important in the history of Algerian resistance against French colonization. His influence extended over many tribes, including the Ouled Sidi Cheikh, the Hamyan, the Amour, the Chorfa, and the Ksourians.

His ability to unite various tribes around a common struggle had a considerable impact on popular resistance in Algeria. As both a religious and military leader, he embodied a dual legitimacy that allowed him to maintain active resistance for nearly 30 years.

Bouamama's legacy in Algeria's collective memory is significant, symbolizing resistance and the struggle for freedom. His fight is considered a precursor to the national liberation movements that led to Algeria's independence.

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