We're in a fascinating era: over the past hundred years, women have gained more significant opportunities to make their mark on society, yet frequently find themselves striving to reach standards that seem just out of grasp. This prompts us to ask what society needs from women. Now is the moment to welcome and celebrate the diverse narratives, truths, and ways of expressing womanhood that exist worldwide but have been overshadowed by dominant societal systems formed through colonialism. Because we may think that female empowerment only existed within the past 100 years, many cultures have a rich history of honoring women's roles and contributions. That's precisely why “H´kam N´sa” takes readers into, for many, unexpected territory regarding this subject—the practice of womanhood in the Kingdom of Morocco.
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Today, Moroccan women are rarely linked to female empowerment in the global discourse on feminism. Over the past decades, the media celebrated an image subject to feminist pity and white tears where womanhood is associated with dependence and restriction. Their narrative is often stereotyped within the "small" world of home life—working in the kitchen, keeping the home comfortable and serving family members. However, a different narrative exists beneath this backdrop of perceived victimhood—one of leadership and power, naturally tied to female roles. Firmly anchored in their cultural heritage and still perceptible in Moroccan homes today - in ways in manners often challenging for the Western perspective to fully comprehend or see beyond stereotypical views.
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‍The practice of womanhood through history amplifies the inherent qualities of women in society, where dependency doesn't undermine independence, leadership is expressed through compassion, and nurturing one's home or community is a testament to strength - transcending the modern feminist urge to meet 21st-century expectations to prove one's worth. This is feminism as a natural way of living before it was constructed as a label, movement and trending topic.
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H’kam N’sa is a grassroots initiative that explores womanhood through the lens of Amazigh women in Morocco as a form of global Moroccan heritage. The phrase "H'kam N'sa" is in Moroccan Arabic (Darija) and translates to "Women's Wisdom" or "Women Leading" in English. It reflects a focus on the insights, experiences, and knowledge of women, particularly in the context of Amazigh culture in Morocco. We aim to shift the focus on presenting culturally and historically conscious ways of viewing women's liberation practices. Not just to dismantle cultural stereotypes but also to enrich the dialogue around this theme - from the ground up.
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This multidisciplinary book will be the end product of a collaborative co-creation process produced by House Of Narrative, Plotfarm and Baytzuhal. It will be the resulted of collected work by local makers, incorporating visual and written storytelling by Moroccan partners and artists.This inspires a direction in the female empowerment movement that preserves the essence of womanhood, contributing to diverse narratives worldwide - an interpretation fueled by the local Moroccan scholar and art scene. We view our role as facilitators of the process, we cultivate a platform for voices from the field, amplifying those that need to be heard. Consequently, this book will evolve through partnerships primarily formed with local organizations, individuals, and initiatives, embodying a collaborative effort that brings forth authentic perspectives. The project began its initial phase in 2024, laying the groundwork for activities starting in April 2024.