Commentary on the courtship dance by Alan Lomax (I)

Audio file
Date recorded: September 1, 1967 to September 30, 1967
Contributor(s): Performer: Unidentified men; Performer: Lomax, Alan; Recordist: Lomax, Alan
Subject(s):
Genre: ahwash, interview/commentary, courtship song, dance song, spoken
Culture: Amazigh, Moroccan
Instruments: drum(s), voice
Setting: Marriage festival
Language: Tamazight
Location: Imilchil, Midalt, Drâa-Tafilalet, Morocco
Physical form: Reel to Reel
Tape number: T2093
Track Number: 21
Archive ID: T2093R21
Note: Alan Lomax describes the movements of the dance. As usual in ahwash, the dancers are separated into two lines and appear to form a 'human wall' by linking arms.
Belongs to: Imilchil I 9/67
About the session: In September 1967, Alan Lomax visited the annual Marriage Festival in the High Atlas village of Imilchil. According to local lore, this festival is held to commemmorate the tragic deaths of two sundered lovers from the warring Ait Yaaza and Ait Ibrahim tribes. Unmarried men and women from the entire Atlas region come to the festival to meet and choose from a great number of prospective spouses. The festival is also known for its numerous and varied musical performances, as traveling musicians often take advantage of the opportunity to play for the large crowds.
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