First published 1993
The ancient Moroccan village of Jajouka has maintained its traditions for generations, but everything changes when Western outsiders arrive seeking exotic thrills. Rock stars, beatniks, and hippies flood into this remote mountain community, bringing cash and contemporary attitudes that clash with local customs. The tribe faces a crisis as outside money begins to corrupt relationships that have remained stable for centuries. Traditional musicians who once played for spiritual reasons now perform for foreign audiences who treat their sacred music as entertainment. Village elders watch helplessly as young people abandon old ways in pursuit of Western wealth. The collision between ancient tribal life and modern Western culture creates tensions that threaten to destroy the community's peaceful existence. What begins as cultural exchange becomes something more destructive as greed takes hold and transforms the village forever.
Genres: fiction, historical-fiction, 20th-century, adventure, 21st-century, cultural
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: clash-of-cultures, fish-out-of-water, greed
Setting: Jajouka, Morocco
Period: 20th-century, 21st-century
297 pages · Hardcover · Random House