Editorial – Fes : an African Reflection

Throughout its history from the Middle Ages to the present day, Fes has always been at the crossroads of political, religious and scientific thought, as well as a commercial hub with roots in both medieval Andalusia and sub-Saharan Africa.

This year, the Spirit of Fes Foundation has chosen as its theme for the Forum the links between Fes and the rest of Africa to the south. Two figures stand out here: Hassan Al Wazzan, better known as Leo the African, who was a great intellectual and diplomat from the early 16^th century, and Sidi Ahmed Al Tijani, who at the beginning of the 19^th century, founded the Sufi order that bears his name. They both began their journeys in Fez, a city that influenced them greatly.

For these men, as for so many other people, Fes was an important centre for intellectuals and traders travelling between North Africa and the West. Those who spread knowledge and those who traversed the trade routes between Fes and Timbuctoo or Dakar not only crossed paths, but were sometimes one and the same. Andalusian Fes was undeniably African.

Even today, any analysis of the dissemination of knowledge and spirituality in Africa – of which Fes has long been a depositary – must take into account the linguistic pluralism of African nations. This pluralism has a long history which is recorded in only a few formal archives, but it is conveyed by ancient texts held in the zaouias (saints’ sanctuaries) and transmitted through nomadic oral traditions that could be questioned. The bedrock of multiple secular societies with their diverse treasures, Africa is also very much the continent of youth.

The Fes Festival this year celebrates the richness of language through voice and the richness of music through instruments, song and techniques. From Sama’ (religious invocation) to Gospel, an all-encompassing familial feeling is engendered.

Africa faces a number of challenges: issues of education and health form the basis of meaningful development. These issues include disease prevention, vaccination, access to clean drinking water, sanitation, education around hygiene, family planning, primary health care, lack of health workers, access to medication, and the dissemination of health information. The Fes Forum provides an opportunity for the world to reflect on Africa.

Morocco’s destiny is resolutely tied to Africa’s destiny. The Fes Forum and the Fes Festival of World Sacred Music support this view.

 

Forum morning sessions:

Spiritual paths and trade routes

Trade routes have always run in parallel with spiritual paths. Today, we consider the question of how Africa is presented in school textbooks. The issue of the knowledge taught in African schools and universities is also addressed.

Linguistic pluralism in Africa

Linguistic pluralism is an aspect shared by all African countries. How can these languages be conserved? What does the UNESCO World Heritage Convention tell us about cultural diversity?

Africa and the sacred

Africa is the cradle of many visions of the cosmos that encompass magic, animism, the supernatural and monotheistic beliefs. There is also a wide range of Sufi orders such as Tijaniya and Qadriya. How do these world views inform a way of life?

Hassan Al Wazzan (Leo the African): portraying Africa

Hassan Al Wazzan was an important diplomat in the service of the Wattasid king of Fes. He traversed wide swathes of Africa with his diplomatic credentials and eventually wrote a description of Africa for the Pope at the Vatican. Born in Granada, he became a Fassi and a Roman: was he an intellectual migrant?

 

Contemporary challenges: education, health and geostrategy

The Forum gives us the opportunity to debate the great challenges of our time. Education and health are two indications of development. How can we put them into perspective today?