Narratives from Morocco
The Amazigh of Morocco make up the majority of Imazighen (Amazigh people) in Tamazgha. Across the country, Imazighen live in diverse regions and speak distinct language varieties: the Amazigh of the High Atlas speak Tachelhit, those of the Middle Atlas speak Tamazight, and those of the Rif Mountains speak Tarifit. It is important to note that all these varieties are encompassed within Tamazight.
Fatima Sadiqi
Fatima Sadiqi Oral Narrative
Fatima Sadiqi is a distinguished Amazigh scholar, professor of Linguistics and Gender Studies, and a prolific author and editor of numerous works on the Amazigh language and women’s issues. Dr. Sadiqi is from the village of Imchihen, from the Ait Hassan tribe in Morocco. She has been a tireless advocate for Amazigh women, highlighting their roles not only as preservers of cultural knowledge but also as creators of it. I had the privilege of visiting her at INLAC, an institute of languages and cultures in the historic medina of Fez, where she hosts international students to learn about languages and cultures of Morocco. During our conversation, we explored her remarkable journey as an Amazigh woman and scholar.
Video of the oral narrative for Fatima Sadiqi
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Omar Ait Said
Omar Ait Said Oral Narrative
I met with Professor Omar Ait Said in Agadir, Morocco in July 2024. Omar was Born in the Dades oasis in southeastern Morocco where he discovered music at a young age. He practiced it and mastered playing the guitar. Omar is a teacher, singer, poet, and Amazigh activist. In this conversation, we discussed how he lives his Amazigh identity in Morocco and how he uses an artistic approach to teach Tamazight to children. Omar is also pursuing his Ph.D. in education. His dissertation focuses on the topic of Amazigh music and education. We shared stories about teaching and pedagogy, particularly in relation to Tamazight, reflecting on the creative and culturally rooted ways we engage learners.
Video of the oral narrative for Omar Ait Said
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Fatima Matousse
Fatima Matousse Oral Narrative
I met with Professor Fatima Matousse in Agadir, Morocco in July 2024. She is an independent filmmaker and an educator. Fatima holds an MFA in Documentary Film from the City College of New York, where her debut film, Family in Exile, won Best Cinematography and was later screened internationally, receiving awards in the U.S., Portugal, and Russia. She also earned an MA in Cultural and Media Studies from Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah University in Fez, Morocco, focusing on postcolonial portrayals of marginalized Moroccan women in documentary film. We spoke about our shared Amazigh identities, Amazigh cinema, film education, and the intergenerational trauma experienced by many Indigenous communities. I was struck by her deep passion for both film and education.
Video of the oral narrative for Fatima Matousse
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