Essaouira Jewish History and Culture...Unfurled

My friend Sarah and I were assigned to give a presentation on the Jewish history and culture of Essaouria on the bus there. Naturally, we figure the best way to do that would be to write a rap. The large amount of bus time was also a contributing factor. So here's our rap. Our friend Charlotte laid a beat down for us.

S: Yo, Yo, Yo, Salaamu Alaikum C: Shnu kain huna? S: MK-47 M: Gold Standard S: Bout to lay down some knowleggggggeeee. Charlotte? M: Drop us a beat

When the Romans came to power they kicked out the Jews, Many came to Morocco, they had nothing to lose, It was the year 70, then their numbers grew 600 years later joined by others fleeing, too. There they established a small community, They converted Berber tribes while sippin’ some tea. Eventually, The Arabs came. Our boy, Idriss established a Muslim State. Jews weren’t tryna convert, so they fled from the war To the mountains and the desert, no longer by the shore. Idriss the 2nd came to power, he valued more unity, He invited the Jews back, allowed for their prosperity. The story doesn’t end there, there were struggles and strife, Now it’s time to educate how Jews got their Maghrebi life. Here’s a quick summary ‘bout the events that conspired, Jews status and positions in the following empires: Almoravids – PROTECTED Almohads – NOT PROTECTED Merenids – PROTECTED Waattasids – INDIFFERENT Saadians – USED Confused? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~X*X I’m sure you’ve heard “Mellah,” Arabic word for salt That’s what they called the Jewish Ghettos, surrounded by walls. There are a couple possible reasons why this name came to be. We’re about to lay them down for you, then you can see. Wahid: Their confines, Built on salt mines Juge: Forced to salt heads Of Arab enemies dead. Which one is true? Well, that’s up to you! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~X*X Now this brings us to Essaouira, there was a Melah there, Almost as many Jews as Muslims – Minority? Where? Socially segregated, their coexistence was peaceful 7700 – Damn that place was full! Though many left to Israel, their Moroccan role is vital: Their traditions and their values – Strong like a wave, TIDAL! Commercial, Financial, Were their specialties. Their connections to Europe enabled diplomacy. Restoration of Jewish temples called for by Mo6. That Moroccan Identity? Hebrew Characteristic. If you’re looking for important Jewish places to go, Check out the grave, home, and synagogue of Rabbi Chaim Pinto, Or another synagogue of Simion Attias, Or the Jewish cemetery, BINT YOU BETTA BELIEVE US! (Bint is the arabic word for girl) Now you got some education, go experience the world. Baruch atah Adonai, Jewish history unfurled.

B’slamma!