Miliana
Miliana
Arabic: مليانة | ||
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Patron Saint Sidi Ahmed Ben Youcef | |
Miliana (
Geography
Location
The commune of Miliana is located in the north of the Aïn Defla wilaya. The town is located 114 km to the southwest of Algiers, 50 km to the west of Médéa, and 92 km to the east of Chlef.
Topography
Due to its position in mountainous terrain, the elevation of Miliana differs greatly, ranging from 430 metres (1,410 ft) to 870 metres (2,850 ft). It is built on a rocky shelf with steep edges on the southern slopes of Mount Zaccar Rherbi[fr], which covers its entire northern border and reaches 1,550 metres (5,090 ft). There is also a smaller ridge to the south that reaches 700 metres (2,300 ft), separating Miliana from Khemis Miliana. The area around the town is well forested. To the east and south is the Chélif River Valley, and to the west is a large plateau that stretches to the Ouarsenis range.
Climate
Miliana has a Mediterranean climate (Köppen climate classification Csa), with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters.
Climate data for Miliana | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 11.7 (53.1) |
12.9 (55.2) |
15.2 (59.4) |
17.4 (63.3) |
22.0 (71.6) |
27.4 (81.3) |
32.1 (89.8) |
32.2 (90.0) |
28.0 (82.4) |
21.9 (71.4) |
16.4 (61.5) |
12.3 (54.1) |
20.8 (69.4) |
Daily mean °C (°F) | 8.6 (47.5) |
9.6 (49.3) |
11.3 (52.3) |
13.2 (55.8) |
17.3 (63.1) |
22.2 (72.0) |
26.6 (79.9) |
26.6 (79.9) |
22.9 (73.2) |
17.7 (63.9) |
12.8 (55.0) |
9.8 (49.6) |
16.6 (61.8) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 5.5 (41.9) |
6.2 (43.2) |
7.4 (45.3) |
9.0 (48.2) |
12.5 (54.5) |
17.0 (62.6) |
21.0 (69.8) |
21.1 (70.0) |
17.7 (63.9) |
13.3 (55.9) |
9.2 (48.6) |
6.2 (43.2) |
12.2 (53.9) |
Average precipitation mm (inches) | 120.5 (4.74) |
124.0 (4.88) |
112.3 (4.42) |
71.3 (2.81) |
47.9 (1.89) |
16.8 (0.66) |
5.8 (0.23) |
7.1 (0.28) |
29.6 (1.17) |
68.9 (2.71) |
103.3 (4.07) |
119.8 (4.72) |
827.3 (32.58) |
Source: NOAA (1969–1990)[4]
|
Toponymy
Zucchabar belonged to the Roman province of Mauretania Caesariensis.[5][6][9] The film Gladiator mentioned a Roman province of Zucchabar, which did exist in fact .
The names Zucchabar or Sugabar were mentioned on epigraphic monuments nearby, indicating the place's belonging to a larger city.[13] This name may be of Phoenician or Libyco-Berber origin, meaning "wheat market."
The name Manliana or Malliana is cited in antiquity as an urban area located at the current site of the town or in the surrounding area, and Saint Augustin refers to a bishop of this city.[14] According to some, this name is derived from Latin and is attributed to the daughter of a patrician Roman family (Manlia) which owned large domains in the agricultural region of the Chélif River valley. However, others believe the name is Berber in origin.
With the Muslim Conquest, the name "Manliana" was arabized to become Mel-Ana, meaning "full of richesses," then Milyana.[15]
History
Antiquity
For a long time Miliana was the sanctuary capital of the Numidian kings. In 105 BCE Jugurtha was captured not far from this region.[16]
A Roman garrison was established in Zucchabar by
Zucchabar was an important city in the province of Mauretania Caesariensis and became a Christian episcopal see. The names of two of its Catholic bishops and one Donatist are recorded:[18]
- Maximianus, who attended the Conference of Carthage (411);
- Germanus, the Donatist bishop who attended the same conference;
- Stephanus, one of the Catholic bishops whom a meeting in Carthage in February 484and then exiled.
The bishopric is included in the Catholic Church's list of titular sees.[19]
In the 5th century, with the arrival of the Vandals, the Roman city was abandoned along with most of its ancient monuments.
Medieval Muslim Algeria
Between 972 and 980, Prince Buluggin ibn Ziri, founder of Algiers and Médéa, constructed a medina atop the ruins of the Roman city. During this period, the city experienced a renaissance and great prosperity.[20] It is mentioned by several Muslim geographers. In the 10th century, Ibn Hawqal was the first to reference the city in his writings. He describes it as "Ancient city, equipped with water-mills turned by its waterway and possessing a large number of irrigation canals."[21] In the 11th century, Al-Bakri wrote that Miliana was one of the cities constructed by Buluggin, along with Algiers and Médéa. In the 14th century, Ibn Khaldun described the city as "part of the Maghrawa Beni Warsifen domain in the Chélif River plain," and that Buluggin had drawn the map for El Djezaïr, Melyana and Lemdiya. Throughout this period, Miliana was a haven of culture. It held a large number of scholars in different fields and scientists, including Ahmed Ben Otmane El Meliani, 13th century writer and poet, and Ali Ben Meki El Miliani, 14th century theologian and jurist.[22]
The city was in the territory of the Maghrawa tribe.
Like other cities in the Maghreb, Miliana underwent several conquests as well as political turmoil. In 1081, Yusuf Ibn Tashfin, leader of the Almoravids, occupied Algiers, Médéa, and Miliana. Afterward, the city was integrated into the Almohad Caliphate in 1149.[16] In 1184, the Banu Ghaniya seized the city along with others in the central Maghreb. The following year, the Almohads reclaimed their territory, and the Banu Ghaniya withdrew from Ifriqiya.[23]
In 1238, the
In 1517,
French Colonization
After the
Due to its geostrategic position, Miliana became a caliphate governed by the caliph Mohieddine Seghir[fr] (1835-1837) and then Ben Allel[fr] (1837-1840) who led 10,440 combattants. The emir built several establishments there, including the caliphate seat and an arms manufactory.[16]
The city was occupied in 1840 by
Emperor Napoleon III visited Miliana in 1865. In 1901, the Righa tribes of Aïn Torki revolted, under the direction of Sheikh Yakoub.[16]
During this period, the city was marginalized in favor of the colonially created Khemis Miliana.[26]
In 1957 during the Algerian War a battle took place at the Oued Guergour to the south of Miliana between the mujahideens and the French army.
From 1874 to 1975 up to 2000 people worked in an underground iron ore mine on Mont Zaccar, which transported the ore and passengers by the 9 kilometres (5.6 mi)
Demographics
Miliana is an old city, populated by the descendants of Moriscos, Kouloughlis, and Berbers of the Mount Zaccar region.[15]
Miliana is the fourth most populous commune in the wilaya of Aïn Defla, after Khemis Miliana, Aïn Defla, and El Attaf, and according to the 2008 Algerian Census, the population of the commune is registered at 44,201 residents as opposed to 22,528 in 1977:
Year | 1977 | 1987 | 1998 | 2008 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Population | 22,528 | 27,183 | 39,662 | 44,201 |
Town structure
The center of Miliana has a Muslim quarter and a French quarter, both of which are surrounded by city walls built on
Economy
Miliana is primarily an agricultural town. Its
Recreation
The game of El Koura is a traditional game that was played in Miliana, Laghouat and other places prior to French colonization. Similar to association football,[28] the game was played during the spring and times of extreme drought because it was believed to bring rain.[29] After French colonization, European sports, especially association football, became more popular.[28]
The town is home to Algerian club football team S.C. Miliana.[30]
Culture
Miliana is home to several musical groups who specialize in different
The celebration of
Miliana's Rekb is a regional tradition of the Berber tribe of Beni Farah, an annual pilgrimage to the interior of the mausoleum of Sidi Ahmed Benyoucef. Hundred of pilgrims come from several regions throughout the country to make their journey from the city of Messelmoun (Tipaza wilaya) to the saint's mausoleum.[34]
Miliana's Cherry Festival is an annual socio-cultural event established during colonization and has been maintained since independence. It takes place during the last week of June. The festival allows the citizens of Miliana to celebrate the qualities of Miliana's cherries, and enables visitors to discover the city's customs and to try the different confections mades from cherries. The festival experienced a decade-long hiatus, then was once more celebrated as part of a plan to revive specific local celebrations in the Aïn Defla wilaya.[35] Cherry production greatly declined along with other horticulture; construction and the destructuring of the city's gardens are the principal cause.
Local Sites
Some monuments from the 18th and 19th centuries remain today. The former home of
The Sidi Ahmed Benyoucef Mosque is dedicated to the saint Abu El-Abbas Ahmed Benyoucef Errachidi, a mystic figure born in Kalaa near Mascara in the mid-15th century, who died in 1526 and was interred in Miliana in 1774 by Mohamed El-Kebir, the bey of Oran. The minaret El-Batha was part of a previous mosque called djemâa El-Turk or djemâa El-Batha; this mosque was destroyed around 1844 for the construction of a public square and its minaret was transformed into a clocktower.[36]
Emir Abdelkader's arms manufactory, located in a suburb of the city, was erected by the emir around 1839. The ramparts, according to some sources, are ancient in origin, but they have undergone many transformations, particularly for the extension of the colonial city.[36] The city contains a large public garden created in 1890.[20]
-
City center; clocktower and museum
-
Emir Abdelkader Museum
-
Ramparts and suburbs
-
The Place Ammar Ali overlook
-
El-Batha minaret
-
Museum of Miliana
-
Emir Abdelkader's home
-
Miliana's public garden
-
Mausoleum of the Saint
Notable people associated with Miliana
- Sidi Ahmed Benyoucef Errachidi (1435–1524), whose mausoleum was classified a historic monument in 1978.
- Mohamed Charef (1908-2011), theologian and mufti.
- Mohamed Belhocine (born 1951), Algerian medical scientist, professor of internal medicine and epidemiology.
- Mustapha Ferroukhi[fr], resistance fighter.
- Mohamed Bouras[fr], founder of the Algerian Muslim Scouts.
- Ali Ammar known as Ali La Pointe (1930-1957), resistance fighter and martyr of the Algerian Revolution. Hero of the Battle of Algiers.
- Augustin Ferrando[fr] (1880–1957), Orientalist painter, director of the School of Fine Arts in Oran.
- Marcello Fabri[fr] (1889–1945), poet and Orientalist painter, essayist, philosopher, art critic, playwright, founder of two journals.
- Mohammed Benchicou (1952-), eminent journalist
- Alphonse Daudet (1840-1897), writer, visited here. In his Letters from My Windmill, there is a short story entitled "À Milianah."
- Lantri Elfoul (1936-2012), professor of translation, author of Miliana la mémoire, 2009 (Casbah éditions) and Traité de traductologie, 2006 (Casbah éditions), born and raised in Zougala, Miliana.
- Walter Amsallem[fr] (1931-), former mayor of Beauvais (1977-2001), born in Miliana
- Pierre Bolotte[fr] (1921-2008), sub-prefect of Miliana
- Jean Kay[fr] (1943-2012), adventurer and writer
- Mahfoud Ferroukhi[fr] (1953-), Algerian archeologist.
- Mustapha Tounsi[fr] (1939-2018), officer in the ALN (National Liberation Army) and writer
- Noureddine Ferroukhi[fr] (1959-2019), plastic artist and teacher.
References
- ^ a b "Algeria – largest cities". World Gazeteer. Archived from the original on 12 April 2013. Retrieved 11 February 2013.
- ^ a b c d e Miliana(Algeria). Encyclopædia Britannica Online. Retrieved October 3, 2010.
- ^ a b c d Miliana. LookLex Encyclopaedia. Retrieved on October 3, 2010.
- ^ "Climate Normals for Miliana". Retrieved 11 February 2013.
- ^ a b Werner Huß "Succhabar" in Brill's New Pauly (2011)
- ^ a b Miliana ville historique Archived 2014-03-24 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ T.W. Potter, "Zucchabar"
- ^ Ptolemy, Book 4, chapter 2 (page 95 in the translation by Edward Luther Stevenson (New York, 1932) Archived 2014-03-24 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b Pliny, Natural Histories, book 5, chapter 1
- ^ Ammianus Marcellinus, Roman History, XXIX, V, 25 and 20
- ISBN 978-90-0426787-9), p. 179
- ^ George Sale, George Psalmanazar, Archibald Bower, George Shelvocke, John Campbell, John Swinton An Universal History, from the Earliest Account of Time (T. Osborne 1748), p. 313
- ^ Haddadou, M A. "Mon beau pays, Miliana". DjaZairess (in French).
- ^ Noubi, K. "Une ville, une histoire". DjaZairess (in French).
- ^ a b "Miliana la bienheureuse..." DjaZairess (in French).
- ^ a b c d e Historical markers in the Emir Abdelkader municipal museum of Miliana
- ^ Ammianus Marcellinus. Thayer, Bill (ed.). "Book XXIX, Roman HIstory". LacusCurtius. Reproduced from Loeb Classical Library: 1939.
- ^ Stefano Antonio Morcelli, Africa christiana, Volume I, Brescia 1816, p. 371]
- ISBN 978-88-209-9070-1), p. 1013
- ^ OCLC 896837368.
- ^ Haddadou, M A. "Mon bon pays, Miliana (II)". DjaZairess (in French).
- ^ "Histoire: Période arabo-musulmane". miliana.com (in French).
- )
- OCLC 64130484.
- OCLC 419827295.
- )
- ^ url=https://citypopulation.de/php/algeria-admin.php?adm2id=4402
- ^ a b Sato, Daisuke. "Sport and Identity in Tunisia Archived 2011-07-22 at the Wayback Machine." International Journal of Sport and Health Science Vol 3 (2005): 27-34. Retrieved October 3, 2010.
- ^ Hartland, E. Sidney. "Games." Encyclopedia of Religion and Ethics Part 11. Whitefish, Montana: Kessinger, 2003. 167-71.
- ^ Algeria Archived 2010-03-22 at the Wayback Machine. Club-Soccer.com. Retrieved October 3, 2010.
- ^ H, M'hamed. "Miliana. Associations culturelles locales". DjaZairess (in French). Originally published in El Watan, March 6, 2007.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: postscript (link) - ^ Baba Hadji, Farouk. "Une manifestation qui manque de souffle". DjaZairess (in French). Originally published in Le Midi Libre, April 20, 2008.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: postscript (link) - ^ L, Aziza. "Miliana: M'narette pour El Mawlid". DjaZairess (in French).
- ^ L, Aziza. "Entre un passé glorieux et une amère réalité". DjaZairess (in French). Originally published in El Watan, May 25, 2009.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: postscript (link) - ^ "Retour en juin de la Fête des cerises de Miliana". DjaZairess (in French). Originally published in El Watan, Feb 17, 2009.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: postscript (link) - ^ a b c Amir, Aziza. "Miliana, Histoire des Monuments". DjaZairess (in French). Originally published in Info Soir, July 28, 2003.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: postscript (link)