Berbers Celebrate Music Ahead of Elections

Berber musicians gathered together to celebrate their talents and heritage at this year’s 8th Timitar Festival, ahead of the elections for constitutional change in Morocco on July 1st.

The outcome of the vote is especially important, as the new constitution could recognize the Berber language as an official one in the country, aside Arabic.

The Berbers, who refer to themselves as Amazigh, “the Free Ones” hope that this amendment is more than just a paragraph on the doctrine.

In 2001, King Mohammed VI established a heritage body for Amazigh culture, saying it belonged to all Moroccans and shouldn’t be used for political causes.

Speaker:

Abdullah Aourik - Amazigh artist