Where Translation Gets Lost

By Rebecca Park, Contributor

The ensemble of "Ahouach/Hassani: Music of the City of Assa" (courtesy of the Kennedy Center).

So the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage won’t be mistaken for a Moroccan village anytime soon. The nomadic tent staging is constructed and forced, totally out of context in the sharp, modern arts complex. The inevitable distinction between performers and audience members introduces a somewhat alienating barrier. And the air-conditioning doesn’t add a whole lot in the authenticity department. But at last night’s “Ahouach/Hassani: Music of the City of Assa” concert, the general atmosphere of communal goodwill proved contagious, in spite of the occasional lost-in-translation drawback.

The performance, which was presented in partnership with the Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco, highlighted the traditions of the city of Assa, a trading post centrally located between north and south, desert and more fertile territories. Here, culture is a bit confused, with free exchanges between the native Berber population and the seventh century Arabic arrival. At the Kennedy Center, emphasis was on Berber (or Ahouach) dance and poetry and Hassani (an Arabic dialect of the Sahraoui provinces) music and poetry.

Including music, dance, singing and spoken word, the concert was less about the artistic intricacies of chords and arrangements but rather the community experience of making and appreciating music together. Instruments were minimal—for most of the performance, the musicians relied solely on a few drums and a guitar. Dances evolved from the same basic small, jumpy steps that complemented the accent put on percussion. Poetry was read without translation, meaning little for much of the audience.

But it was clear from the first note that the show was for everyone. The Ahouach/Hassani ensemble encouraged audience participation—actual dancing in the aisles—tying the big city performance back to its roots in communal village ceremonies. And who can say no to big, burly bongos and manic foot-stomping? A few twangy guitar notes, hand-clapping, drum-thumping, a universal language clearly communicating festive joy and warm togetherness, whether you’re seating next to a best friend or absolute stranger.

To see video of the full performance, check out the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage website. 

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