Publication Date
Spring 2025
Abstract
This ISP is an autoethnographic exploration of Khamlia, a small rural village settled in southeastern Morocco at the edge of the Sahara Desert. Conducted over two weeks, this study engages with themes of indigeneity and identity, Gnawa music and culture, and the complex dynamics of tourism, particularly heritage tourism, and its effects on a town like Khamlia. Particular attention is given to how Gnawa music is performed and utilized as a tool of cultural heritage. The autoethnography also delves into gender roles, family dynamics, and the environmental consequences of tourism on both Khamlia and the surrounding Sahara. Additionally, it reflects on the transformative impact of migration as well as the profound impact of climate change on Khamlia’s physical environment and socioeconomic conditions since its founding in the 1950s.
Disciplines
Arts and Humanities | Social and Behavioral Sciences
Recommended Citation
Berhane, Lidya, "The Familiar Stranger An Ethnographic Account of Khamlia Berhane, Lidya" (2025). Morocco: Human Rights, Social Justice, and Cultural Transformation. 3.
https://digitalcollections.sit.edu/mor2/3