from HLA genes in Arabic-speaking Moroccans: close relatedness to Berbers and Iberians
"As Robert Kaplan once wrote: “Morocco is not an Arab country at all, but a Berber one with a deceptive Arab veneer.” The Amazigh heritage is what makes Morocco and other North African countries unique and different from the Arabs of the Near and Middle East. Furthermore, the Arab nationalism that the national media advocates is the real threat to our national unity, because of the anger and resistance that it creates among millions of Moroccans."
Driss Benmhend
MOROCCO. Marrakech. 1986. Young Berber girls hiding and giggling.
© Harry Gruyaert/Magnum Photos
MOROCCO. Near Tabant (Ait Bouguemmez). Berber women cutting grass for their cattle fodder. 1988.
© Bruno Barbey/Magnum Photos
MOROCCO. Oujda. Berber women. 1972.
© Bruno Barbey/Magnum Photos
ALGERIA. Bejaia. Young women from a high school folk group perform traditional Kabyle dances. 1982
© Abbas/Magnum Photos
‘Even after their leader’s capitulation, some Riffians continued to fight as guerrillas. It took two years for the Spanish to subdue the remaining pockets of resistance.’
Proud of the History of my people, that’s all I own
