Lord of the Atlas Thami El Glaoui

a pre-1923 depiction of thami el glaoui, pasha of marrakesh

madani died in 1918. french repaid t hami s support appointing him head of family ahead of madani s sons. si hammou, madani s son-in-law, managed remain in position qaid of glawa (aglaw in tashelhit), based in telouet (and therefore in charge of arsenal). not until hammou died in 1934 did t hami full control of legacy.

from time on, t hami s wealth , influence grew. position pasha enabled him acquire great wealth means dubious, interests in agriculture , mineral resources. personal style , charm, prodigality wealth, made him many friends among international fashionable set of day. visited european capitals often, while visitors @ marrakesh included winston churchill, colette, maurice ravel, charlie chaplin.

the pasha attended coronation of queen elizabeth ii private guest of winston churchill, lavish gifts of jeweled crown , ornate dagger refused not customary gifts received individuals not representing government.

according son abdessadeq, 1 of principal means acquired great landholdings was able buy land @ cheap prices during times of drought. during 1 such drought, constructed irrigated private golf course @ marrakesh @ churchill played. when french protested waste of water, silenced granting playing rights top officials.

t hami had 2 wives: lalla zineb, mother of sons hassan , abdessadeq , widow of brother si madani; , lalla fadna, whom had son, mehdi, , daughter, khaddouj. mehdi killed fighting in french forces @ battle of monte cassino. t hami had number of concubines, of whom had children three: lalla kamar (sons brahim, abdellah, ahmed , madani), lalla nadida (son mohammed , daughter fattouma) , lalla zoubida (daughter saadia). first 2 of these had entered t hami s harem musicians imported turkey.