Spanish General Castro Girona and Raisuli
Spanish General Castro Girona, popular with the Moroccan Moorish leaders - a talented africanista who had played a leading role in the capture of Xauen (Chaouen) in 1920 - also spoke several Moroccan dialects. Pictured here with Mulai Ahmed el Raisuni (known as Raisuli to most English speakers, also Raissoulli) (d 1925). Raisuli was the Sharif (descendant of Mohammed) of the Riffian Berber tribe in Morocco at the turn of the 19th/20th Century, and considered by many to be the rightful heir to the throne of Morocco. While regarded by foreigners and the Moroccan government as a brigand, some Moroccans considered him a heroic figure, fighting a repressive, corrupt government, while others considered him a thief. He was considered by many as The last of the Barbary Pirates (though his actions were limited to the land). He submitted to the Spanish authorities and subsequently was one of Spanish leaders in the Rif War of the 1920's until he was captured by Abd el Krim. He was reportedly dead by the end of April 1925, having suffered from dropsy for several years, although rumours of his survival persisted for years. He is still regarded as a folk hero by many in Morocco, although his reputation is mixed at best
