«Anarchists Without Knowing It»: A Critical Reassessment of the Concept of Anarchy in the Societies of the Rif

Abstract

This study offers a critical reading of the concept of anarchy as applied to non-European contexts from a decolonial anarchist perspective. It examines how French-Spanish colonial historiography used the term to portray the Rif as a chaotic territory, thereby legitimizing colonial intervention. At the same time, some postcolonial currents have idealized these societies, interpreting them as anarchist without considering their historical specificity, the absence of explicit ideology, or the presence of power structures such as patriarchy or rule by elders. Through a historiographic and anthropological review of traditional Riffian societies, the article highlights the importance of contextualizing sociopolitical practices before labeling them through external theoretical frameworks. Finally, it proposes the concept of «libertarian practices» as an analytical alternative that acknowledges their value as forms of resistance to colonialism and the state, while respecting their cultural singularity and avoiding Eurocentric or overly simplistic interpretations.