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Ketama
Region in northern Morocco with anything between 20,000 and 80,000 inhabitants, enjoying semi-independence (unofficial) from the rest of the country. It lies in the Rif Mountains, in a section called Ketama Mountains, with peeks reaching heights of 2,448 metres.
The largest settlement in the region is the town of Ketama or Issaguen, while the large village of Tleta-Ketama 8 km south lies in the centre of Ketama region.
Ketama's status as semi-independent is well illustrated by the absence of Moroccan police here as well as no Moroccan flags on any house or building.
The main produce of the region is the production and export of hashish. Moroccan authorities are either unable to control the region, due to the strength of local lords, or allows its semi-independece to have an excuse to benefit itself from the production of hashish despite much pressure from the European Union to bring it to an end. Tourism was earlier of importance, Ketama both having skiing opportunities and forests ideal for hunting.
Ketama is poorly connected to other urban centres of Morocco by winding, mountain roads. Fez is 175 km south, Al-Hoceima 115 km northeast and Chefchaouen 110 km west.
The population are Berbers, speaking Berber.
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By: Tore Kjeilen
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