عشب النساء Uchb-Nisa, 2019

Installation, Glass vitrine, empty jars, handwritten labels, 60cm x 80cm x 20cm

S’hur (ar : سحور), which can be translated to magic, sorcery, or conjury, is very much alive in Morocco today. In fact, magic, traditional and natural remedies have existed in Morocco long before modern medical practices, but have taken different forms over the centuries. The art of herbalism plays a huge role in Moroccan society as it revolves around the preparation of mixed various ingredients; plants, animal parts, and minerals. The recipe can sometimes contain up to seventy different ingredients or more depending on the Achchab (The herbalist) who prepares it.

All this research raised my interest in the topic and led me to make it the focus of not only one, but two artworks:

The first is an installation under the name Uchb-Nisa, it consists of a shelving unit of empty jars with different handwritten labels with names of different herbs that are used for fumigation (Bokhour), which can be used for good or bad magic.”

Through this work, I’m questioning the position and the exact role of the herbalist in Moroccan society nowadays and how is the herbalist perceived by society, who their customers/clientele are, the different kinds of knowledge mobilized by the herbalist, how the knowledge is transmitted, preserved and possibly transformed as well as the connection between contemporary forms of spiritual healing and magic rituals in Egypt.