Ahwash workshops in Morocco
“We welcome those who come to us”
on Ahwash ⴰⵃⵡⴰⵛ practice with Hicham Ounamir

What is Ahwash?
Aḥwash (Ahwach / ⴰⵃⵡⴰⵛ / أحواش) is a diverse Amazigh tradition of chanted poetry in a form of collective dance-singing, typical for Moroccan Atlas Mountains and the surrounding areas. This practice, usually performed outdoors, is based on repetitions and polyrhythms, allowing participants to delve into the essence of community and the intrinsic connection between sound, movement, and the environment. The dance consists of delicate movements, always staying close to the body’s axis, embodying the moral ethos of Amazigh culture: everything should be balanced.

Accessibility
The practice of Aḥwash is an example that not only the verbal layer of music can convey knowledge. Qualities such as communality, rootedness, independence within interconnectedness, as well as balance—in every sense of the word—can be practiced, understood, and embodied through music and dance. Aḥwash, possessing all these characteristics, seems to be particularly accessible to people of varying abilities and from different cultural backgrounds.
Early spring workshops in Amazer village
Hicham Ounamir*, a traditional musician and song-writter, grew up and lives in Amazzer village, an oasis in Low Atlas. He performs and teaches local variety of Ahwach, which he learnt from his mother.
Since 2021 together with his friend, collaborator and student, Borys Slowikowski, they organize workshops in Ahwash song-dances combined with Borys’s in-depth rhythmical practices. The workshops take place in Amazer and involve learning a set of traditional chants with their accompanying dances as well as classes in traditional percussion.
We usually organize the Ahwash workshops around January-March. If you are interested to join us, contact me via email and I will keep you updated.

LINKS
Snippets from Ahwash workshops in Amazzer:
Research on Ahwash as part of the research:
Music by Hicham Ounamir:
Izouran | Groupe Ounamir | Astera (Lotar Solo) | ⴰ ⴱⵉⵙⵎⵉⵍⵍⴰⵀ / A Bismillah |
* hicham ounamir
a multi-instrumentalist and songwriter from Amazer, Morocco, embarked on his musical journey in 2001, self-teaching instruments such as the banjo, guitar, violin, and piano. He immersed himself in Arabic and Amazigh music while playing alongside friends. Performing extensively at local events, weddings, and festivals, Hicham’s breakthrough arrived in 2013 during a performance with the Ait Baamrane tribe in Sidi Ifni, where he gained recognition as a versatile musician skilled in various styles. In 2017, Hicham released his debut album, “Ouzengh Tabrat”, which garnered attention. He later presented a concert footage titled “Amhdar.” In 2018, he collaborated with chaabi singer Fatima Tazenzart on a music video, “Han Atfrokht,” and released the album ‘Ikatin Wino’. In 2023 he took part in the research project “Cry of the soil: audiodances for climate grieving” funded by the Neustart Kultur Program. He is part of ensemble Izouran, which works mostly with his compositions. In 2024 Izouran received a grant from Musikfonds e.V. and performed at Morphine Raum Berlin, Hanse3 in Dresden and No Water No Art Festival in Poznan, Poland. He regularly organizes workshops in Ahwach song-dance tradition in his home village Amazer. Hicham was also invited with his teachings to Ethno Port Festival Poznan 2024.
