During Gaddafi's oppressive rule, the cultural tapestry of Libya's local tribes unraveled, but since the 2011 uprising, Libya’s many ethnic groups have enjoyed increased opportunities to celebrate their culture. In Yefren, a town in western Libya’s Nefusa mountains, Amazigh (Berber) and Arab communities came together to host its first cultural festival and celebrate local traditions.
Hazem Ihtash, an advocate and volunteer for USAID’s Taqarib activity, joined forces with the Women's Office at Yefren Municipal Council to choreograph this celebration of identity. The mayor, municipal council, residents and regional guests attended the festival which serves as a poignant symbol of cultural revival and identity celebration.
The festival included local school children putting on plays and displaying traditional costumes. Additionally, food, crafts and a tour of Yefen’s old city created an immersive experience. Festival attendees described the atmosphere as joyful, and the mayor hoped that the event might encourage the national government to renovate Yefren’s historical marketplace to generate future tourism.
Across Libya, USAID's has sponsored eight festivals to encourage this cultural resurgence, including festivals in the marginalized southern region of Libya. These initiatives not only beckon tourists to explore the beauty of the nation but also serve as a rallying point for unity. In embracing and celebrating diversity, these festivals become beacons for peace and reconciliation among LIbya’s diverse ethnic communities.
Taqarib
