"Tetteguin
is a small town built by the ancient Africans [pre-Islam] 18 miles from
the Straight [of Gibraltar] and 6 miles from the Ocean. The Muslims
conquered it when they defeated the Goths in Ceuta. When they took over
the city, they chose a one-eyed countess to govern it- she would come
once a week to collect her dues. As she only had one eye, the locals
named their city Tetteguin, which in African dialect [Berber] means
eye.
Some
time ago, the Portuguese attacked this city and conquered it. For 80
years it remained abandoned, until a Granadan captain decided to restore
the city. He had come to Fes with the Sultan of Granada, at the time
of the city's fall- he had made a great impression during the combat.
The Portuguese called him Al Mandari. He was given the authority to
restore the city and collect taxes. He rebuilt the city walls, erected
a fort (Kasbah, see picture) and dug trenches around the city. He waged
many a war with the Portuguese, often attacking Ceuta, Ksar and Tangiers.
He
had a permanent army of 300 horsemen, all from Grenada, and the best
of their class. With their help, he roamed the country, capturing Christians
and enslaving them. When I visited this city I saw three hundred Christian
slaves who slept at the bottom of trenches.
This
man was extremely generous, giving shelter to whomever visits his town.
He died not so long ago, after having completely lost his eyesight.
His first eye had been stabbed a few years ago. His second faded away
in old age.
The
town is now in the hands of his grandson, a courageous man."
(Leo, 268)