Abidat Errma art, a male-dominated musical heritage

MARRAKECH – The art of Abidat Errma is a male-dominated music heritage that has a rich history with hunting and horse riding, said Salah Mansari, the head of Abidat Errma Ouled Attouch from Oued Zem city, on the sidelines of the 51st edition of the National Popular Arts Festival held in Marrakech.

 “We grew up in this festival. It is impossible not to attend this great venue because we have become brothers throughout the years, said Mansari, adding that this was the 23rd edition he was attending.

“The festival has become like a moussem gathering all kinds of traditional musicians,” he said.

Mansari is proud of his troupe’s achievement as they reached the first place in the Abidat Errma festival in Khouribga a day before coming to Marrakech.

Eloquent Mansari painstakingly explained the meaning of Abidat Errma in classical Arabic with his strong accent while drinking tea.

“Abidat Errama’s literal meaning is the slaves of archers or hunters. But these people were never slaves because tribes used to seek their help and advice in quarrels and problems,” said Mansari who is also the president of the oldest hunting association in Morocco.

Mansari mentioned his horse riding skills before he had an accident which brought his tbourida career to an end.

“I took part in more than ten editions of the Hassan II Trophy of Tbourida as mqeddem (leader) of the Sorba until I broke my arm during an accident,” he sorrowfully said.

“Hunting and horse riding have a strong relationship with Abidat Errma,” he said.

“Abidat Errma is in our blood,” he proudly said, pointing at his son who is part of the troupe.

“The Dar Essalam has given a humongous value to traditional horse riders and sorbas thanks to the royal families’ close interest in preserving this heritage,” he said.

A male-dominated music heritage

Mansari insisted that Abidat Errma is a male-dominated music heritage, unlike other heterogeneous music troupes where women play an important part.

“In our tradition, people do not let a woman ride a horse because the latter represents purity. How do we know that this girl doesn’t have her period?,” he asked.

“You have to do your ablution and pray before riding the horse although it has nothing to do with religion,” he explained unconvincingly.

Mansari recalls a woman who used to dance but not sing with an Abidat Errma troupe, adding that dance movements are manly.

“It is a manly art and we have to preserve this heritage as it is through the next generations,” he said.

Mansari praised the National Popular Arts Festival and the Grand Atlas association for bringing the participating troupes from their original regions.

“I’m not trying to praise the Grand Atlas association here, but I truly appreciate the fact that it is striving to preserve our heritage by bringing the real artists from all the corners of Morocco,” he said.

“I invite Moroccans to come to the festival to watch 53 troupes perform their own songs and dances to discover the real heritage of our country,” he added.

“Whoever didn’t see this festival knows nothing about Morocco,” he concluded.