Through the ancient Amazigh proverb “Tar Izli Ur tamu” (an event without its poem is an event which never happened), our ancestors have affirmed the importance of poetry and art and their fundamental role in the documentation of our history and the wealth of collective memory. Today, the means of communication have developed considerably. Yet, this does not mean that we will substitute the poetry of our ancestors with cinema. But rather that we will combine the two arts to strengthen our cultural heritage and the legacy of resistance.
This idea has been applied to our upcoming documentary film, “Amussu,” whose creation is a form of resistance in itself. The film tells the story of our continued struggle as the community of Imider, a village located in south-eastern Morocco. For the past few decades, we have faced the abusive exploitation of the biggest silver mine in Africa, owned by Managem corporation, a subsidiary of the royal investment holding. Our struggle is about the right to water, land and a decent life.
Since the summer of 2011, we have protested against mining activities which have depleted our natural resources and destroyed the environment in our region. But also against the Makhzenist state’s marginalisation and impoverishment of our region. It is for these reasons that our social movement, which we have called “On the Road ‘96” has seen the light. Its name commemorates our community’s last peaceful uprising, repressed violently in 1996. The Movement on the Road ‘96 brings together the people of the Imider tribe, men and women, young and old, students and peasants, through Agraw – the general assembly of the community. Agraw is an ancient Amazigh democratic system inherited from our ancestors after the founding of the confederation of the Ait Atta tribes, before the establishment of the modern central state. With Agraw, we make collective decisions through direct democracy.
