Since earliest times, Moroccans seem to have been impelled to dance. When babies cry, for instance, the first reaction on the part of women in order to calm them is to put them on their backs or chests and dance. Many short songs and stories are taught to little children during the “baby dance.” It may be said that Moroccan children are first introduced to language, attitudes, and values through dance and song.

Most outdoor dances are organized by women and performed by both men and women. For example, the Imazighen (free people, masc. sing. Amazigh, fem. sing. Tamaz…