"Ahwash" by Mina Moudden
Ahwash, ahwach, or ahouach dance is very popular in the south of Morocco. Ahwash is a style of collective performance, including singing, dancing, and poetry from southern Morocco.
Ahwash is the source of beautiful Amazigh music. It brings different people together forming different settings and dancing. The seating differs depending on the guide, the meaning behind the singing, and the occasion (if it is a ceremony, wedding, or a special celebration.)
It is already mentioned that this type of music has a guide or a leader. Sometimes, we find two people making a duo in a beautiful way. The leader guides the dancing group through the whole musical performance. The group contains men, and occasionally women placed on the opposite side. They use good rhythms and follow the leader's instructions. Women might be invited to dance on some occasions, but it's rare and depends on the culture of the group performing. In my region, Tiznet, it is not considered acceptable for women to mix in a close space with men or dance together. Nowadays this is changing, and people do dance, have fun, and enjoy Ahwash together. It is now dependent on the family itself rather than the region’s culture.
In terms of clothing, male groups wear traditional clothes, mainly white Djellabas and slippers. In terms of materials, they use Bendirs or Agwals as musical instruments. It is common for people to travel from different places to enjoy Ahwash, especially for celebrations that take place in the summer holiday.
Personally, I do attend Ahwash performances for family weddings and celebrations. I also wear a djellaba as traditional clothing when attending. We Amazigh girls in Tiznet join the Ahwash, and form a group of women that stand in front of the male group to dance Ahwash while also respecting the team leader.
When listening to Ahwash music, the lyrics are almost always related to Amazigh values and traditions, and it may be related to Islamic traditions. My grandparents and parents understand the lyrics and meanings behind the songs, but the new generations may not understand all the words and enjoy the music, dancing, and celebrations instead.
In a nutshell, Ahwash is well known in Morocco and in the world. It has become popular because of the way it’s done. There a lot of Moussems that occur in Morocco, and Ahwash takes part in the different Moussems. It is also present in many Moroccan weddings all around the country. Brides like to include Ahwash in their wedding, even if they are not from an Amazigh family or Amazigh origins, because it is very beautiful and they enjoy doing Ahwash in their parties.
Mina Moudden is an Arabic teacher at Amideast Education Abroad in Morocco.
