Centered around nurturing and aiding the infrastructure in the Rif, one of Morocco’s poorest and marginalized areas, The Rif Tribes Foundation has been working tirelessly to provide humanitarian aid, maternity support, and much more to those who need it most. In a previous interview, the founder of the initiative, 21-year-old Sidi Massinissa, expressed one of the goals for Rif Tribes is to establish one of the first-ever art schools in the Rif region. Slowly but surely, that vision is coming to fruition.
Extending humanitarian aid into the arts, the newly announced Rif Tribes Art Center, the first of its kind, will teach vulnerable youth everything from haute couture, music, painting, theater, languages, poetry, and more. At no cost and solely for the sake of learning, the new center extends its support by empowering and training young artists from Morocco, uplifting their careers to garner international recognition.
As the organization blends their charitable work into the world of the arts, it has partnered with Dihyan Jewelry, an accessories label designed by Youssra Nichane and co-founded with Nicole Abate. The jewelry brand’s ethos pays tribute to Moroccan craftsmanship, aiming to reconnect women to their roots by transforming jewels dating from the 17th to the 19th century into everyday pieces with a modern twist. Through their shared values, the partnership aims to preserve traditional Moroccan art while serving the youth and communities. What’s more, Dihyan Jewelry is supporting Rif Tribes through the launch of a traditional Moroccan pendant, with proceeds going directly to the artists and educational projects of the Rif Tribes Foundation.
In less than two years since its inception, The Rif Tribes Foundation has helped over 4,000 families in the deadly 2023 Marrakesh earthquake and provided regular food assistance to 1,500 people in the Al-Hoceima Province. Initiatives such as “The Ameziane Box” have aided in reducing postpartum depression and infant mortality, and they are now organizing an annual traditional music and art festival in Al-Hoceima, alongside many other exciting projects soon to be announced.
The foundation’s unorthodox approach, partnering exclusively with the high fashion, arts, entertainment, and sports world, positions Rif Tribes as one of the most effective and impactful youth-led organizations in Morocco, generating positive bespoke change faster than ever in the region.
As someone who grew up frustrated with the endless injustices unfolding in the world, Massinissa’s heroic efforts provide a grassroots and creative outlook on humanitarian aid. This approach ensures longevity in improving people’s lives and aids in fostering skills and practices that can help a society heal and grow. And what better way to do that than through the arts?
