There are ancestral artistic expressions that propel us towards a second dimension. A space where the body follows the rhythm and where words are invented and move to dress the acts of daily life, describe lived experience, and accompany Man in his joys and setbacks. The art of Ahouach is one of them. In this mode of artistic expression, the body yields to the intoxication of words and the improvised or transmitted verses surrender to the same momentum. The initiative of the Ministry of Culture, the province of Ouarzazate, the Regional Tourism Council, and other partners to organise the third edition of the National Festival of Ahouach Arts, from 8 to 10 August in Ouarzazate, is intended as a bridge for sharing this art. This third edition promises festival-goers artistic conceptions aimed at making known the diversity of this art and its close connection with the experiences that punctuate life (birth, circumcision, marriage, and harvest). The three major evenings included in the programme of this edition will be held at the historical Kasbah of Taourirt. "The scenography aims to highlight the famous Kasbah of Taourirt as a background for a dynamic stage (playing area) reproducing an authentic setting of the natural life of the Moroccan countryside. This scenography will be created by the cinema artisans of Ouarzazate," the organisers stress. Note in the same framework that a conference on Ahwach will be given by professor-researchers and specialists in the field. As a result, the Roman theatre of the Kasbah will host the "Abaraz n'Ait Oumarg" evening, an Amazigh name designating a kind of confrontation between poets of two tribes where the improvisation of verses and meaning is a space of competition where talent and the handling of words are measured in a poetic form. Furthermore, a photo exhibition, highlighting the places that host this event, equipment, and ornaments of this art, is also on the agenda of this event. As a reminder, the Amazigh word "Ahouach" is derived from the verb "Houch" which means to dance. This art is composed of a rhythmic construction, a dance, and poetry. "Ahouach is a community dance known mainly in the Souss, the Haouz, and Draa. It is performed in well-determined circumstances, according to a special ritual, and requires a specific place, adequate clothing, and ornaments," the organisers explain. This third edition aims to attract about 100,000 people between the local population and Moroccan and foreign visitors. It is, according to the organisers, an occasion to promote the region's potential as a component of the attractions offered by the destination (tourism, cinema, crafts...).
Festival 26 Jul 2014 3 min read
An invitation to the rhythms of Ahouach

