Afrovibes: Dihya - Mohamed Lamqayssi

Amazigh Queen

Choreographer Mohamed Lamqayssi tells the story of the Amazigh queen Dihya. She is the only woman in history who fought against the Umayyad – and unfortunately lost. This defeat marked a turning point in the history of the Amazigh culture in North Africa. The matriarchal order that had prevailed until then had to make way for an Arab-Islamic patriarchy, which itself still exists today after 14 centuries. But what if Dihya had won the battle?

Lamqayssi opens a temporary door to an alternative scenario in which Dihya is the architect of another story and power and sacrifice lead to freedom and love. A hidden history of the Imazighen culture that could have been.

Dihya has previously been seen at On Marche Festival Marrakech 2023, Journées Chorégraphiques Carthage Tunis 2023 and Kinani Festival Maputo 2023.