GLAWI FAMILY, AL-

Powerful Moroccan family of the late nineteenth century.

Originating from the Glawa tribe in the High Atlas mountains in Morocco, the al-Glawi family played an important role in the nineteenth century in linking the tribes of the High Atlas to the Makhzen. Two members of the family contributed to Morocco's recent history.

Madani Glawi (1863?–1918) inherited the chief-dom of Tlwat from his father Mohamed Ibabat, who was an amghar (tribal leader). He built a close relationship with the sultan Mulay Hassan, whom he received in Tlwat in 1893 in the High Atlas. After the sultan gave him the title of caliph (Islamic leader) of Tafilalt, he became a qaʾid (chief) of the Atlas. His power grew and his authority became widespread when he supported Mulay Hafid against his brother Mulay Abd al-Aziz and became the prime minister of the Cherifian government. Glawi ultimately built a powerful chiefdom in the High Atlas after 1913, when the sultan Mulay Youssef came to the throne under the French protectorate of Morocco.

Thami Glawi (?–1957), Madani's youngest brother, became pasha of Marrakech in 1909. With French intervention in Morocco, his authority grew even more. After the death of his brother, he inherited his power over the surrounding tribes of Marrakech. He stayed faithful to the French. When Sultan Sidi Muhammad Ben Yussef (later King Muhammad V) returned from exile in 1956, he gave him the aman (forgiveness). He died 23 January 1957.

See also muhammad v; youssef, mulay.

rahma bourqia