Book Translation : Raid, booty and slavery in Oran in the 16th Century, based on the manuscript of Diego Suarez of the late Professor Malki Noureddine

Through the book: Raid, booty and slavery in Oran in the 16th Century, based on the manuscript of Diego Suarez, we attempt to highlight the work of the late Professor Malki Nordine, historian emeritus at the University of Oran who specialized in the history of Oran in modern times. The main subject of this book is the raid and slavery which were exercised on the local population during the beginning of the Spanish occupation. It is essentially based on the manuscript of Diego Suarez, a Spanish soldier who stayed in Oran between 1577 and 1604. His writings represent a living testimony full of valuable information characterized by objectivity in the story. His long stay in Oran allowed him to observe what was happening in the region and acquire a good knowledge of the reality on the ground, considering the period known by the political and religious conflicts between the Ottomans and the Spanish for supremacy over the Mediterranean. These events are transcribed in detail in the manuscript entitled:

Story of the last Master of Montesa and his brother Don Felipe de Borja: the way they governed the memorable towns of Oran and Marzalquivir, kingdoms of Teremcen and Tenes.

Suarez gave great importance to the history of Oran city and its neighbouring tributes, the tribal organization, the oppression of the Spanish on the Oranese population and other important facts such as the raid, slavery, the resistance of the local population, imports and daily life inside and outside the fortifications. All these elements constitute an essential source of the history of Oran in the 16th century.