Fading Dunes

In the vast Sahara Desert, where the dunes bear witness to ancient cultures and resilient communities, a profound change is happening. The tribes that have traveled these lands for hundreds of years are facing unprecedented challenges that threaten the existence of their nomadic culture. The modern world is taking over the traditional ways of life in sahara, reshaping the ancient cultures of dunes.

Fading dunes is an on-going long term documentary project shot on film photography. It highlights the impact of the climate crisis and urbanization on the overlooked communities of southern morocco who live in the front line facing risks of food and water shortages, displacement and conflicts.

Climate change, and economic marginalization have made it harder for nomads to sustain their way of life. Droughts and desertification, worsened by global warming, have destroyed grazing lands and water sources, making nomadic communities travel longer distances to find food for their animals.

As nation-states formed and borders were set, nomadic tribes had to leave their traditional ways of life and settle down. This led to challenges like losing the freedom of movement, changing cultural identity, the disappearance of nomadic traditions and ceremonies, and adapting to mainstream society.

My aim with this project is to explore and document my region and tell the stories of my people, who lived here in the past as free nomadic tribes before the transformation to modern citizens, drawing attention to the consequences of climate change on our culture and highlighting resilience and adaptation. This project also serves as a personal learning journey and a rediscovery of my ancestral heritage and vanishing traditions.