- Title: WESTERN SAHARA/MOROCCO: Sahrawi women defy singing stigma
- Date: 27th January 2011
- Summary: LAAYOUNE, WESTERN SAHARA (RECENT) (REUTERS) VIEW OF HOUSES IN LAAYOUNE WOMEN SITTING ON WALL AL BATOUL MARWANI BAND SINGING INSIDE HOUSE VARIOUS OF AL BATOUL MARWANI SINGING AND DANCING WITH TWO FEMALE MEMBERS OF HER BAND
- Embargoed: 11th February 2011 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Western Sahara, Morocco
- City:
- Country: Western Sahara Morocco
- Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment / Showbiz,Lifestyle
- Reuters ID: LVA114SVPTBCZ9757AYNXOHZKXSF
- Story Text: Women singers in Western Sahara break social taboos by singing in public.
In the Western Sahara village of Laayoune, Sahrawi singer al Batoul Marwani sings with members of her band. For Marwani, singing in public is seen as a social taboo, because of the tribe she belongs to.
In Sahrawi tradition, only members of certain tribes, viewed as lower class, are seen as able to become singers, while others are expected not to sing or perform anywhere in public.
But Marwani, a member of an upper class tribe who is defying the social norm by forming a band and singing in public, sees her singing skills as a representation of who they are and of their culture and tradition.
Another woman in Marwani's band feels the same.
"I wanted to sing and to do so, I had to defy them (members of society). My husband is a singer from the Sahara and I am a Sahrawi myself since generations. I defied them and till now I have problems with my family because I am a singer. I find singing a normal activity because it's something beautiful and also I'm not doing anything wrong,'' said Fatiha Kherr one of Marwani's backing singers.
Marwani has been defying the stigma associated with female singers for decades, as she has been signing in public for around thirty years.
She says despite the difficulties she faces, she still chooses to be a professional performer.
"It is virtually impossible for a woman originating from a well known tribe such as Ait Lahcen or Rguibat to be a singer because we still have some very strong old traditions here. As long as you are Hartani, of a dark complexion or a slave descendent, you can sing. But if you come from a free tribe, they will not accept you as a singer and you will be badly treated. This will effect you mentally. A woman isn't allowed to sing but as far as I'm concerned, thank God I sing despite all the difficulties,'' she said.
Sahrawi culture is steeped in tradition, and as Sociology professor Mohamed Dahman explains, the art of singing and performance is only acceptable if you are from a Sahrawi tribe that is perceived as lower class.
"When it comes to artistic activities and singing in front of foreigners, then you are dealing with something not seen as acceptable by the society, except if you are part of a family that has been practising singing for generations. In the Sahara, singing is restricted to some particular families belonging to a special caste in the society,'' said Dahman.
''The Sahrawi society is divided between the warrior tribes, religious ones and their disciples, and also some groups made of artisans and fishermen and so on,'' he added.
Sahrawi singers attract thousands of fans who come to hear their traditionally infused songs and Al Batoul Marwani is one of the area's popular singers.
More than 30,000 people came to see her sing when she performed with her band members in Laayoune's main square recently.
The women remain true to their roots, proudly wearing traditional ornate Sahrawi clothes whilst entertaining their audience. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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