Exploring the narrative expressions of secularism, this book examines its articulation and pervasive transmission within and beyond state institutions. It delves into how secularism shapes societal norms and influences various aspects of culture and governance, providing insights into its role in contemporary discourse.
Looking at how French colonial rule invented the concept of the Maghreb, carving it out as something distinct from sub-Saharan African and the Middle East, Abdelmajid Hannoum demonstrates how this started long before the conquest of Algiers and lasted until the time of independence, and beyond, to our present.
Focusing on the dynamics of migration in Tangier, this book delves into the experiences of African migrants heading to Europe and Europeans relocating to Africa. Through extensive ethnographic research, it highlights the complexities of race and legal status, revealing how these factors shape both the lives of migrants and the cultural landscape of the city. The narrative provides a nuanced understanding of the interactions and influences between diverse communities in this unique geographic and cultural intersection.
In Violent France in Algeria , Abdelmajid Hannoum examines the advent of political modernity in Algeria and shows how colonial modernity was not only a project imposed by violence but also a violent project in and of itself, involving massive destruction and significant transformation of the population of Algeria. The author analyzes the relation between culture and events and demonstrates how the culture of colonial modernity was generative of violent events, the most notorious and tragic of which were the spectacular mass killings of the 1990s, usually referred to as “the Algerian civil war.” This, the author argues, cannot be explained without an understanding of colonial modernity.
The Legend of the Kahina, a North African Heroine
The Kahina myth has significantly influenced various social groups in North Africa since the 9th century, serving as a powerful ideological tool for anticolonial movements, nationalism, and feminism. Abdelmajid Hannoum analyzes how this legend has been appropriated to support diverse narratives, framing North Africa as Arab, French, Berber, or Jewish. The book delves into the transformation of historical memories, examining the roles of oral storytellers and historians in shaping the understanding of the region's identity amidst colonial and post-colonial contexts.