Ahidous: The art of Amazigh spectacle

About

Practiced by the Berbers of the Middle and High Atlas Mountains in Morocco, especially in Imilchil and Midelt, Ahidous is an ancestral tradition of collective Amazigh dancing and singing. During the Ahidous, men and women form supple and undulating rounds, accompanied by Berber songs. Three elements

make up the Ahidous: the Izlan song related to local poetry or an improvisation whose themes range from love to politics, the musical rhythm achieved by tambourines, hand clapping and finally the mixed dance. A distinction is made between Ahidous Askwat performed during the tribe’s special occasions and Ahidous Amezian during family celebrations. The festival of the music of the summits of Bou Azmou in Imilchil celebrates every year the Ahidous, the dance and the song of the Amazighs of Imilchil.