Ep 319. Raïssa Leï: Repairing the Colonial Impact on the Amazigh Culture

Raïssa Leï is a multifaceted individual celebrated for her creative and cultural contributions. She is an advocate for the warrior spirit of Amazigh women, reflecting her dedication to preserving and promoting Amazigh heritage and values. Her work often highlights themes of freedom, resilience, and cultural pride. Raïssa is featured in interviews and podcasts that explore her journey and the impact of her advocacy on empowering women and communities. Raïssa is renowned for blending traditional North African tribal dances with modern styles like hip-hop and Waacking, creating a unique fusion that celebrates Amazigh heritage while embracing contemporary artistry. She directs the Kif-Kif Bledi troupe, showcasing her leadership in promoting North African culture. Through her art and public engagements, Raïssa actively challenges stereotypes and colonial erasure, using dance as a medium to reclaim and celebrate Amazigh identity.

In this episode you will learn about:

- The Amazigh culture in Moroccan landscape

- Stereotypes and misconceptions surrounding Amazigh community

- Quitting a “regular” job to focus full time on activism and spreading awareness about the Amazigh culture

- How fragile the copyright protection of the intellectual property of a choreographer is

- Dealing with random people and organizations using your photos for commercial purposes

Show Notes to this episode:

Find Raïssa Leï on FB, Instagram, YouTube and website. Her group Kif-Kif Bledi: website & Instagram.

Our previous interview with Raïssa Leï:

Ep 89. Raïssa Leï: Dance And Activism

Details and training materials for the BDE castings are available at www.JoinBDE.com

Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.

Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.

Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast