An international symposium on the theme “The heritage of the Jbala in the service of development” will be held on 24 and 25 May in Taounate to shed light on an important part of Morocco's identity and history.

This cultural and scientific event will bring together historians, ethnologists, anthropologists and academics from Morocco and several countries who are interested in the history of the Jbala.

The Jbala group, which includes eminent ethnologists, sociologists, anthropologists, linguists and historians, particularly from Morocco and Europe, has been working for several years on the north-west region of Morocco, including the provinces of Taounate and Chefchaouen.

The group is interested in several facets of the life of the Jbala (lifestyles, gastronomy, clothing, cultural reproduction capacities, family dynamics and the role of women...).

The themes that will be developed by the participants in this symposium notably concern “the oriental dialect of the Jbala”, “the agricultural and artisanal know-how of the Jbala”, “heritage in the service of development” and “civil society as an actor in development”.

On the sidelines of this symposium, outings are planned to develop tourist circuits starting from the city of Taounate, as well as an exhibition of local products.