Chama El Hammoumi, better known as Chama Zaz was born in 1953 in the Taounate region, into a poor peasant family. Like many women of her generation, she was unable to continue her studies, because of the great distance between her Douar and the school, but also because of the violent manner in which her teacher behaved. At 14, her family decided to marry her to an old man who was the age of her grandfather. After four years of marriage, her husband died and Chama found herself widowed, at the height of her age, with two children to feed, one of whom was disabled.
Like many women in her region, Chama enjoyed humming while performing her daily tasks outside or at home. She hummed songs that the women of her region were passed on from generation to generation; songs that recount the sorrows of daily life, poverty, suffering, etc.
Due to the beauty and exquisite hoarseness of her voice, Chama Zaz has become very much in demand for hosting wedding parties among other family ceremonies. This is how her artistic journey began under many pseudonyms in order to avoid the wrath of her conservative family, before all of Morocco discovered her under the name of Chama Zaz.
His meeting with Mohammad Laaroussi, the undisputed master of Taktouka al jabaliya allowed him to gain notoriety, especially in the North region. She collaborated with him for the animation of a large number of events and television concerts. She has also recorded more than 60 tapes and discs which include her most important songs in terms of Aita jabaliya, of which she has become the icon par excellence.
Despite the fame she gained, Chama Zaz never left her douar, just as she never negotiated the price of her artistic performances. She was always satisfied with the little that was given to her, leading a life in all simplicity, in the company of her cows, far from the bustle of the city.
Today, she is hospitalized in Taounate, after the deterioration of her state of health. She is waiting for support to help her endure this hard test which adds to the marginalization she suffered, at the time of the stars of YouTube and social networks.
–
