The increasing movement of people from sub-Saharan Africa into Morocco is reshaping the country’s literary landscape, prompting a deeper examination of identity, politics, and prejudice. This “sub-Saharan turn” in Moroccan literature is the focus of new scholarship, including the operate of Brahim El Guabli, whose recent podcast interview and forthcoming book explore the complexities of this evolving dynamic. The conversation, centered around El Guabli’s essay “The Sub-Saharan Turn in Moroccan Literature,” delves into how migration patterns over the last three decades have influenced Moroccan society and its artistic expression.
El Guabli, an associate professor of comparative thought and literature at Johns Hopkins University, discussed his research in a February 13, 2026, interview with James Ryan, Executive Director of the Middle East Research and Information Project (MERIP). The essay originally appeared in the Spring 2021 issue of Middle East Report, titled “Maghreb from the Margins.” The discussion, part of MERIP’s “In the Archive” podcast series, examined how Moroccan novelists are grappling with these demographic shifts and the resulting social tensions. The podcast is available to listen to here: https://embed.acast.com/685eb391653df36e7bde7c0a/69960f36435569254bea93f5" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="190px
The Evolution of “Saharanism”
Central to El Guabli’s work is the concept of “saharanism,” a framework he developed to understand the cultural and political implications of increased sub-Saharan migration to Morocco. He argues that this influx has challenged traditional understandings of Moroccan identity and prompted a re-evaluation of the country’s relationship with its southern neighbors. “Saharanism,” as El Guabli defines it, isn’t simply a geographical designation but a complex set of ideas and power dynamics that have historically shaped the region. His research builds upon a growing body of scholarship examining migration, identity, and cultural production in North Africa.
The development of this concept is further explored in El Guabli’s newly published book, Desert Imaginations: A History of Saharanism and Its Radical Consequences (University of California Press, 2025). The book expands on the ideas presented in his earlier essay, offering a deeper exploration of the historical roots and contemporary manifestations of “saharanism.” The book is available for purchase here.
Literary Reflections of a Changing Society
El Guabli’s analysis focuses on how contemporary Moroccan novels reflect these societal changes. He examines how authors are portraying the experiences of sub-Saharan migrants, the challenges of integration, and the persistence of racial prejudice. His work delves into the complexities of race and prejudice within Moroccan society as it grapples with its evolving demographic makeup. He has also published “Forgettable Black and Amazigh Bodies: Boujemâa Hebaz and the Moroccan Racial Politics of Amnesia” in Comparative Studies of South Asia, Africa and the Middle East (2024) and “The Idea of Tamazgha: Current Articulations and Scholarly Potential” in Tamazgha Studies Journal (2023).
The “sub-Saharan turn” isn’t occurring in isolation. El Guabli’s work acknowledges the broader historical context of trans-Saharan exchange and the complex interplay of cultures and identities in the region. Scholars like Ghislaine Lydon, author of On Trans-Saharan Trails: Islamic Law, Trade Networks and Cross-Cultural Exchange in Nineteenth Century Western Africa (Cambridge University Press, 2009), have illuminated the long history of interaction between North and West Africa. Similarly, Shamil Jeppie’s forthcoming book, Writing Timbuktu: The Book in West African History (Princeton University Press, 2026), explores the rich intellectual traditions of the region.
Further Reading and Resources
El Guabli’s work builds on a foundation of literary and historical scholarship. He cites Abdel Rahman Munif’s Cities of Salt (Vintage, 1989) as a key influence. His original essay, “The Sub-Saharan Turn in Moroccan Literature,” is available to read on the MERIP website: here.
MERIP is currently accepting pitches for its summer issue on visual art and cultural production in the Middle East and North Africa, with a submission deadline of February 23, 2026. More information can be found here. MERIP also encourages donations to support its paywall-free podcast series, as noted in a call to action on its website.
The conversation surrounding migration and identity in Morocco is ongoing, and El Guabli’s work provides a valuable framework for understanding the cultural and political shifts taking place. The next step in this scholarly conversation will be the wider dissemination and analysis of El Guabli’s book, Desert Imaginations, as it offers a nuanced perspective on the historical and contemporary dynamics of “saharanism.”
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