Promoting national identity: The contribution of Amazigh culture in education
Moroccan Amazigh culture, boasting traditions, customs and diverse practices is a beloved subject among researchers of cultural anthropology and studies of national identity. Teaching its tangible and intangible heritage through generations can open new pathways towards better understanding and valorizing national identities as reported in an Arab Democratic Center study published recently.
Mohamed Msihid’s research entitled, “The Aspects of Celebrating Amazigh Culture in Morocco: Between Cultural Riches and Educational Challenges,” examines the festive dimensions of Amazigh culture within Morocco to stress its educational utility as part of school curricula. Through this work, researchers aim to ensure students maintain their identities while perpetuating Moroccan history through rituals and cultural practices that define national culture.
According to this researcher, Amazigh culture stands out as one of the essential pillars of Moroccan culture and maintains its vibrancy thanks to a range of themes and components including crafts and performing arts as well as social structures and traditional rituals.
Indeed, Morocco’s cultural heritage showcases its depth, robustness and antiquity – it encapsulates all facets of civilization over centuries past and into present day – so its preservation must be protected with all available means – particularly educational pedagogy axes as Msihid stressed.
He further commented on how the increasing interest in Moroccan identity, with its rich multi-millennial legacy, can now be found manifest in school curricula. For him, the key issue lies with whether Moroccan schools reflect different aspects of Moroccan culture such as Amazigh culture. Educational program designers strive to enrich school curricula contents with varied national values that encompassed Amazigh identity in all its diversity.
Researcher highlighted how national education programs serve as integral instruments in inculcating these values in learners, instilling within them an attachment and pride for both people and nation, their language and culture – rejecting anything which threatens these ideals or compromises authenticity of national identity or citizenship.
“Id Yennayer”, celebrated annually by Amazigh culture, is among its most iconic rituals. According to legend, an old woman, possessor of goat herd, endured an indescribably harsh winter full of extreme cold and torrential rainfall, before defying nature on January 13 by venturing outside with her herd despite all odds despite threats by January to punish her, invading two days from February until nature made good its promises – literally freezing everything to its core including her animals! In memory of her heroic defiance against nature Amazighs celebrate January 13 as signifying start of agricultural year as part of their Maghreb traditions that goes way back centuries despite various names or variations used within Maghreb region as this day symbolized starts agricultural year starting January 13 annually in Maghreb region regardless.
Another longstanding ritual, the “Bashikh Festival”, has long been practiced across Moroccan regions and occasions. Derived from the Bacchus ritual, it’s celebrated on different holidays across Morocco on various dates; for instance in Rif, its celebration includes two shows; first musical performance given by local young people practicing music inside cave near mosque and followed by theatrical show by same young people dressed up and made-up specially. From there they proceed in procession to different sanctuaries or mausoleums to pay their homage and receive blessing from them before returning in procession back out to their village to prepare further ritual performance followed by celebration of “Taghnja/Tislit N Anzar” ritual along with celebration of “Bouganim”. This study also discusses other practices such as ritual of invoking rain via Taghnja/Tislit N Anzar” ritual and celebration of “Bouganim”.
The author underscored the critical nature of protecting and advancing Amazigh culture as part of national cultural fabric, by including it into history textbooks and curriculum pathways. A pluralist national dialogue on identity and belonging is imperative given threats posed to Moroccan territorial unity and cultural security.
As part of their studies on Amazigh heritage and culture, researchers advised teachers and students alike to pursue personal and continuous enrichment on these aspects. Furthermore, researchers suggested strengthening school libraries with scientific and literary works dedicated to Amazigh culture.