Pkcasa

My family come from south of Morocco. Well, she appertains to “Chleuh” people situated mainly in High-Atlas, Anti-Atlas and in the valley of Souss. As for me, my family, on the paternal and mother’s side, come from “Tafraout”, a small Berber town of the Moroccan Anti-Atlas, located 180 km south of Agadir in the heart of the valley of “Ammeln” among pink granite rocks, famous for their color. Families of my parents lived in the same city. It’s really special.

But, one day, my grand-fathers, undertook to go to the city of Casablanca which offers work and which became more influential economically throughout the kingdom. During the late 40’s, my grandparents decided to leave their native region of Tafraout to settle in Casablanca. Indeed, during this period, a significant amount of people migrated to this city that was beginning to have more influence than before.

-/ The history of the Berbers, their number, and their localization The “Chleuhs” are a Berber people who speak “Tachelhit” or Chelha

(in Arabic). This language is the largest Berber language of Morocco by the number of speakers and the extent of his spread. Like I said, they are situated mainly in High-Atlas, Anti-Atlas and in the valley of Souss. Moreover, they are the Berber people the most numerous all over the Sharifian Kingdom. Indeed, they’re nearly 12 millions. There are no official data on the number of Berber speakers, but it is estimated at nearly 45 millions all over the world. The main religions in this people are Judaism and Islam even if Islam is more widespread in the population. In the history of Morocco, the Chleuh, showed strong resistance to the installation of the French protectorate. They also, helped the French army and the allies to fight, in the Second World War , against the Germans, in particular. These men, who fought during this war were called “Les Goumiers”.

-/ The culture of the Berbers today and their language

In 2011, King Mohamed VI, has put a new constitution which recognizes the Tamazight language or “Amazigh” (it’s the same) as an official language, although it’s placed after Arabic language. But, much of the community sees this reform as a mere concession that the government would have done just to calm the ardor particularly with regard to “the movement of 20 February”. For information, the Tamazight language brings together all the Berber languages that exist, including “Tachlehit”. However, nowadays, “Amazigh” language, takes a little from many dialects that exist, to create a language understood by the entire community whatever his localization. You should know that 40% of the Moroccan population speaks at least one Berber language. So, this new constitution is a real recognition of the Berber community. Moreover, The King Mohamed VI has created “L’institut Royal de la culture amazighe” (IRCAM), which has the role to give notice “on measures to safeguard and promote the Amazigh language and culture in all its forms and expressions”.

Morocco linguists have usually distinguished three main dialects, “The Rif” in the north, “Tachelhit” in the south, and “The Tamazight” of the central of the country.

-/ Way of life of the Chleuh

The life style of Chleuh people is rudimentary and is based mainly on agriculture. So this way of life, is away from technology that is taking an important place in our urban lives. Since the technological and scientific advances have been reflected in these mountainous regions, the area has been modernized, and much of the population no longer lives as before. Indeed, the region is no longer dependent on agriculture but financial funds coming from sons who have successfully and settled in urban areas of Morocco, including Casablanca. However, there is still a minority who still lives as before.

There !

NAITSSI YOUNES

ANEJAR Malika NAITSSI Mohamed

JEBRANE Rokia

ANEJAR Said ZAKI Khadija NAITSSI Brahim

Fatima Tahar Mohamed

JebraneFatima Lhassan

Mbarek Anejar

My father was the general manager of “Central African

Banque Populaire”, so during almost 13 years of my life, I had to leave Morocco and to settle there. But, all the holidays of summer, I take the plane to spend my holidays here, in Morocco. In 2009, my father was transferred in his bank headquarters. After having forged strong links with this wonderful state of Central African Republic, I had to return home. It’s why today I’m living in Casablanca. Throughout these 13 years, my life was filled with happiness. I met wonderful people with who I spent some exceptional moments. Following this experience, I am very attached to this country and I hope in the future to bring him something.

There, I discovered a new civilization, a new way of life. Away from that European or American lifestyle, people there, are always smiling, despite the difficulties they have. It’s a thing that caught my attention. There, people enjoy life. I could also discover a phenomenal biodiversity and landscapes.

The city of Casablanca is for me the city I was born in,

its’ here where my family settled. So, I feel reels belonging lightheadedness to Casablanca. Despite all the noise, all the pollution, all the drawbacks that exist within the city of Casablanca, I am proud to be part of its inhabitants. For me, Casablanca, represents another culture, where tradition and modernity come together. However, I will never deny my Berber Origins. They are for me, the basis of my existence. So, I’m not like some persons who tell that they’re of Casablanca and who forget their origins. I’m really attached to my roots.

I have no real and specifics solutions to make more sustainable Casablanca. For me, Casablanca will have to do more efforts at an ecologic view. Indeed, Casablanca is not in a good position in this area. To see how the situation in Casablanca is critical, you just have to walk in the city center and you will have an idea on that problem. So, I will make some propositions to improve this situation. For information, you should know that a durable city is a city which respect the principles of sustainable development and urban greening which seeks to jointly consider the social, economic, environmental and cultural stakes.

Firstly, I suggest to the Moroccan government, even though I know it will be a little bit difficult, to not hire and to let some foreign companies to manage waste and the cleanliness of the city, but to hire some national companies because these companies would do this work more seriously than the others. There are 3 corporations which are responsible for the waste of Moroccan people: “Tecmed”, “Sita-Maroc” and “Segedema”. But they are all branches of foreign Europeans firms.

Secondly, we have to change the mentalities of the Moroccan people and to make some awareness campaigns which are almost absent today. So I hope the situation will improve in our city.

Finally, the Moroccan government should support the architects to build ecovillages, more social housing (which need not beings antiquated), cultural and sporting infrastructures. Morocco, should use less fossil fuels and turn more to renewable energy.