A Question of Representation: The Amazigh Experience

On May 1st, 2025, Americans across the United States took to the streets in protest of our current administration and the myriad of unfounded and unprecedented actions our leaders have taken. In the very same way, on May 1st, 1994, a small group of Amazigh people decided to stand up to their monarchy. They gathered with small signs and chanted for their right to recognition. The members of that small group were arrested and charged by their government for being "anti-arab". Today, over 30 years later, those very same people are still fighting for societal acceptance and access to food, water, and education, while much of the world remains ignorant to their plight. 

  

In exploring the diverse communities of Morocco, two questions rise as recurring: Does promoting your culture come at the detriment of another? Or is there enough room at the table for all people to be seen and represented?

From the cities to the coast, Morocco is a country rich in duality. Among Morocco's rich tapestry of cultures, two groups are predominant- the Arab and the Amazigh. Commonly referred to as the Berber population of the country, the Amazigh are the indigenous peoples of North Africa. Berber traditionally refers to the term "barbarian", while their preferred name refers to "freed man". The Amazigh culture as it stands today is known for their beautiful rug designs, unique language of symbols, and their classification as second class citizens within the Moroccan social structure. 

The May Day demonstration of 1994 sparked conversation regarding the ability to promote one's culture without being accused to tearing down another. Does the Amazigh's desire to be recognized insinuate that the Arab don't have the right to exist? Of course not. Much like the modern Israeli-Palestine conflict, advocating for one's culture and survival does not have to mean elimination of the other (looking at you, Netanyahu). 

The Moroccan Monarchy has actively used their power to actively dissuade the practice of traditional language and ritual in the Amazigh community (Rizkallah, 2021). Though the Amazigh are the original inhabitants of this sacred and beautiful land, their culture has been largely reduced to roadside tourist attractions and modest trinket sales in an attempt to keep families fed. Throughout the long history that has ultimately led to Moroccan independence, the Amazigh people have been both second and third class citizens (at best) behind the French and Arab communities.

Despite the monarchy's history of oppressing the education and expression of Amazigh peoples, the modern King is seeking to change the narrative. In 2001, the Amazigh culture was officially recognized by the Government of Morocco. Despite this action, the Amazigh people still live in abject poverty, with much of their population lacking access to education (Reichard, 2018). Without access to education, the Amazigh people face an uphill battle of a hot sand dune of socioeconomic disadvantage. 

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Citation

Rizkallah, N. (2021). The Moroccan Amazigh. ResearchGate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/376029729_The_Moroccan_Amazigh

Reichard, H. (2018, October 16). The Free People: Hope and Repression among Morocco’s Native Amazigh. The Yale Globalist. https://globalist.yale.edu/in-the-magazine/features/the-free-people-hope-and-repression-among-moroccos-native-amazigh/

LAAGUID, B. A. (2023, September). Amazigh in Moroccan Media: An Attitudinal Study. Science

Step Journal, 1(2), 69-80. ISSN: 3009-500X.

LAAGUID, B. A. (2023, September). Amazigh in Moroccan Media: An Attitudinal Study. Science

Step Journal, 1(2), 69-80. ISSN: 3009-500X.