Tan-Tan Festival

'Tan Tan Festival' is a long-term ongoing project that delve into the past, present, and future of one of the last remaining cultural heritage festivals in southern Morocco. Its aim is to document the festival and address recurring local concerns regarding the artificiality of the organizing institutions and how it endangers the authenticity of this intangible cultural heritage of the Sahara.

The annual fair was originally called ‘amougar’ in the native Moroccan language. It serves as a meeting point for over 30 tribes from the North African Sahara, as well as other tribes from the Sahel region. The fair promotes economic exchange, including the buying and selling of products, food, and livestock. It also features horsemanship fantasia, camel racing, musical performances, poetry contests, and many other activities. It was interrupted in the late 70’s due to the political conflicts in the area, then revived in 2004 and classified by UNESCO in 2005.

The festival organized by the Moroccan capital-based “Amougar Foundation”, celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2024 under the slogan of conservation and human development. However, each year, local youth increasingly call for the exemption of this institution, expressing concerns for their cultural heritage and protesting against the management that has no connection to sahara.

In southern Morocco, Tan Tan is a stagnant city with low income and high unemployment rates. Therefore, Amougar is the only major event that occurs throughout the year. mothers walk long distances heading to the festival square to handle sewing and patching, while young men set up the worn 20 years old tents, from sunrise to sunset. Each tribe's tent must be decorated by its members. Everyone is taking the opportunity to earn small amounts of money.

As a photographer based and originated from sahara, I have connected with the people I am addressing. Therefore, I add my voice to theirs through this photography project to advocate for the authenticity of our traditions and to set boundaries in their promotion, ensuring they are not negatively impacted or transformed into an artificial exhibition with little credibility.