Battle of algiers

Dates

2012 - 2012
Author

Claudia Cuomo
Topics Social Issues, Contemporary Issues, Documentary
Location Marseille, France

During an engagement party a very young couple, guests and relatives show that there's nothing warmer and joyful than celebration of culture, folklore, dancing and tradition from their homeland.

Battle of Algiers is referred to the battle symbol of 50-60s war, starting migratory flux from Algeria to France. Currently about 200,000 Algerians live in Marseille, a city in which we can see a certain melancholy towards the land of origin, and a certain pride for their presence on territory, now at 2nd and 3rd generation. Inhabitants of Marseilles also for decades, people of Maghreb have always been considered as passing, a statement that has led to a greater estrangement and claim for traditional values, as an ongoing winning of that battle.

© Claudia Cuomo - Image from the Battle of algiers photography project

A young woman, very elegant in her beige dress decorated in gold and pearls, makes her entrance under the applause and ululation. Her future husband welcomes her and together they cross the crowd of women in sequined dresses and men in suits, joining a huge golden sofa sat on a platform. In this uptown neighborhood near Marseille, the celebration begins.

A young groom is being shaved by his uncle before "El Khouara" engagement celebration. Traditionally, the man goes visiting the girl's parents to ask her in marriage. It's the moment of "Khotba". Once families find an agreement about dowry, the boy and girl get officially engaged.

The Aunt of the future groom showing her Henna. Henna ceremony is a symbolic ritual where the young woman begins a new stage of her adult life as a wife. The oldest woman of the family has to apply henna on bride's hands, but unmarried girls are also decorated, so that "God" would send them a husband.

During an Algerian celebration in pure tradition, it is rare to call on a caterer or a restaurant to prepare the sumptuous meal. Indeed, all the cooking is done by the family and relatives the day and the night before the event, everything is homemade.

The bride changes her outfit, showing her ring. Bride's clothes are traditionally made by herself, but this tradition is getting lost.The bride will wear several dresses during the party: the higher the social level of the family, the more the dresses the bride will have to wear. This is called "Tasdira"

The Henna decorations are reserved for women, the same preparing the bride for the D-day. A white suitcase called "Jehaz ", containing clothes, fabrics and perfume will be offered by the women of the groom's family. Only the women of the bride's family and the bride herself will have the permission to look at the contents.

Ululation is practiced on various occasions of communal ritual events used to express strong emotion. It is used by women to give praises at weddings and all other celebrations. It is a general sound of good cheer and celebration, and also an integral part of most African weddings where women gather around the bride and groom, dancing and ululating exuberantly.

According to Islam man and woman do not mix neither for food nor for dancing. During the party all the guests dance with a same sex partner, except for fiancés.

Bride's mother surrounded by relatives. Her 19-years-old daughter will leave the family house less than a year after. Meanwhile, she will receive gifts -"shoura"- all along the engagement period until the wedding day. This moment is emotional, both sad and joyful because it marks the end of childhood.

The young girl will become a wife. Today about 200,000 Algerians live in Marseille, a city in which there's no "disorientation", but at the same time a certain melancholy towards motherland can be spotted. In special occasions this community becomes powerful and united, celebrating origins and traditions.

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Battle of algiers

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