Sincerely, Tendrara documents the life of the remaining Beni Guil nomads, focusing on women forced to give up their pastoral nomadism and livelihoods due to desertification.
The origin of the Beni Guil in Tendrara, a small commune located in eastern Morocco, can be traced back to the 10th century, living primarily as shepherds in a seasonal migration pattern. Today, the Moroccan nomad population (known as Rouhal) has shrunk to about 25,000 – a 63% decline in just a decade. Natural water and grazing resources are shrinking, forcing the nomadic herders to sell their sheep for income and permanently settle their tents on the outskirts of the town. Their ancient nomadic lifestyle is disappearing, and with them, a century-old, rich culture built around poetry and storytelling. Members of the Beni Guil describe the situation as a ‘slow dying death.’
Yzza Slaoui is a Moroccan photojournalist whose work intersects journalism, photography, and human development, focusing on issues relating to women, climate crisis, and conflict. She is a member of Women Photograph and is a Native Agency mentee.
Internationally recognised for her interest in effecting social change through photojournalism, Sloui’s work has been highlighted by the Photography4Humanity initiative and exhibited internationally in countries such as Germany, France, the USA, the UK, and Morocco.
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