Mohamed Rouichi – Gender, Religion and Power Dynamics in Moroccan Folktales
Defense Date: July 19th, 2025
Abstract:
This dissertation explores the cultural significance of Moroccan oral storytelling as a living tradition that both transmits and reshapes the values, beliefs, and identities of Moroccan society. Despite the dominance of written literature, oral narratives in Morocco continue to thrive— evolving through performance, reinterpretation, and intergenerational transmission. Drawing on psychoanalysis, gender theory, anthropology, and history, this study investigates how Moroccan oral tales navigate complex moral landscapes, particularly those concerning familial relationships, political authority, and religious diversity. Through a detailed analysis of these narratives, the dissertation illustrates how Moroccan storytelling functions not only as a vehicle for cultural preservation but also as a site of critical reflection, resistance, and the reimagining of social norms. Ultimately, it highlights how Moroccan oral traditions actively engage with— and challenge—dominant discourses on gender, ethics, power, and collective identity.
