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Rabat – Morocco has lodged a complaint with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) against Algerian appropriation of the Moroccan traditional garment “Caftan Ntaa El Fassi,” according to converging reports.
The reports said that the Moroccan Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication, in coordination with its permanent delegation to UNESCO, has submitted a formal complaint to the international organization.
Algeria intends to include an image of the “Ntaa El Fassi” in a dossier it plans to submit to the UNESCO committee responsible for safeguarding intangible cultural heritage, the Moroccan ministry is reported to have said in its complaint.
The complaint, which emphasized that Moroccan cultural heritage is an integral part of Moroccan identity, reportedly stressed that the caftan depicted in the Algerian UNESCO application was stolen from a museum in Amsterdam and is Moroccan property.
It called for the removal of the image of the Moroccan caftan from the Algerian file, arguing that UNESCO should reject exploitation of its 2003 Convention.
The convention, which came to force in 2006, aims to protect and promote intangible cultural heritage, which includes oral traditions, performing arts, social practices, rituals, festive events, and traditional craftsmanship.
Read also: Morocco Takes Action to Prevent Algerian Appropriation of Moroccan Heritage
Morocco’s complaint also urged the UNESCO committee responsible for safeguarding intangible cultural heritage to exercise vigilance in handling nomination files to prevent further incidents of cultural heritage misappropriation by other nations.
The ministry’s assertive move comes after Moroccan activists launched last year an online petition opposing Algeria’s attempt to claim the Caftan Ntaa El Fassi as part of its cultural heritage.
Originating from Fez, the Moroccan Fassi Caftan is a significant cultural artifact known for its unique design and craftsmanship.
The petition, which has garnered tens of thousands of signatures, reflects widespread disapproval and concern over cultural appropriation among Moroccans.
This complaint is not an isolated incident; it marks the latest in a series of disputes between the two countries over cultural heritage.
In recent years, Moroccans have on numerous occasions called out Algeria for appropriating various elements of Moroccan culture, including the caftan, the intricate mosaic tilework known as zellige, certain types of traditional music, and even culinary staples such as couscous.
These repeated attempts at cultural appropriation have heightened tensions between the two countries, with Moroccans taking to social media to urge Morocco’s government to take the necessary measures to protect the country’s cultural heritage.
