Given the harshness of mountain climate and topography, it is rather surprising that the Sa'dian brothers traveled there at all. However, as mentioned in the Ourika-Atlas section, the military valor of these mountain dwellers was worth all the effort.

It is also worth mentioning that despite the vastness and cultural differences of Morocco, a concept of 'nation' did exist in the 16th century.

According to Hajji, the first movement of Moroccan "nationalism" (he recognizes the anachronistic use of the word) occurred in the 16th century, when the country rose up against the Portuguese and Spanish presence on the coast:

"this continuous struggle against the invader had a popular and spontaneous nature which is the tangible proof of the existence of a national conscience in Morocco. The war united the Masmoudas of the High Atlas with the Sanhaja of the Middle Atlas, the people of the Rif, Arabs, semi-nomadic tribes from the Atlantic plains and urban dwellers" (Hajji, 116)