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French Morocco, 1954

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December 17, 2008, 07:36
wordcrafter
French Morocco, 1954
While researching other matters, I came across a 1954 article about an atrocity in French-occupied Morocco. It was a "teaching moment" for me, and it provides this week's theme.[An endnote tells that the ram is sacrificed "in memory of Abraham, who sacrificed a sheep in place of his son Ishmael. ancestor of all Arabs." Interesting. The western bible tells that Abraham's sacrifice was in lieu of his son Isaac, ancestor of the Jews.]medina (pronounced meDEE – the old quarter of a North African town
[from Arabic, meaning ‘town’]
December 17, 2008, 20:34
wordcrafter
ratissage – a search or raid by the (French) police or military (esp. one in French northern Africa). [Freq. characterized as a particularly violent or feared type of operation.]We'll learn more about this ratissage in the next few days.

It is horrific.
December 18, 2008, 20:29
wordcrafter
Three cordons. Triple strength. They were adamant that none should escape the retaliation.

cordon – a line or circle of police, soldiers, or guards forming a barrier
(verb: cordon off – to prevent access to or from, by means of a cordon)

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December 20, 2008, 08:15
wordcrafter
goum – a group of North African tribesmen, esp. a contingent as soldiers in French service
goumier – such a soldier

truncheon – a short thick stick or club, carried as a weapon
[Old French tronchon ‘stump’, from Latin truncus ‘trunk’]
December 21, 2008, 09:10
wordcrafter
gauntlet – a punishment/torture where the victim is forced to run between two lines of men (the gauntlet) who beat him with sticks
(also,an onslaught from all sides; or, a severe trial; an ordeal)
[from Swedish gata ‘lane’ + lopp ‘course’]

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December 21, 2008, 20:41
wordcrafter
pasha – a title for military and civil officers, esp. in Turkey and northern Africa