The Wolf's Wedding: The Moroccan Rainbow Legend
A North African folk explanation for the rainbow that is widespread across the Maghreb, among both Arabic and Berber-speaking populations. When a rainbow appears in the sky—especially when rain falls while the sun shines—it is said to be 'the marriage of the jackal' or 'the wolf's wedding' (tameγra bbuššen in Berber, 'ers ed-dib' in Arabic). According to the legend, a wolf once promised his family he would marry, but on condition that it take place on a stormy day during which the sun shines in defiance of rain, forcing the 'sky's bride' (the rainbow) to appear. The wolf believed this was impo