The Achab Editions have just released this very interesting new publication titled "The Jewelers of At-Yanni" and authored by Myriam Donsimoni, Mohamed Kemmar and Cecile Perret-Carnot. The book discusses local development through local know-how and products with the example of Jewelry production in At-Yanni. At-Yanni have a long tradiciton of Kabyl jewelry.

Summary:
"The Jewelers of At-Yanni" Directed by Cecile Perret-karnot and co-written with Myriam Donsimoni, and Mohamed Kemmar

The country begins its reopening, the security returns step by step and the tourists will soon be back in Algeria. The valuation of cultural, natural heritages and craft is then necessary. Associations and most recently public authorities have understood this necessity (tax exemptions, implementation of the Nucleus approach). Kabylia is rich in its culture and in its know-how really anchored in the territory (Jewelry, pottery, weaving). The questions raised in this research are essentially: how to value this heritage? How to structure the actors of the territory? How to put the craftsman, his know-how and its creativity in the heart of a process of systematic development? The territory which I chose, point of departure of this research, is the Ath-Yenni’s because of it’s history, it is rich in its landscapes and its ancestral jewellers know-how which made it the fame and the fortune. In addition, the object jewel in itself is very interesting because of its strong symbolic contents (motives, colors), it is a valuable reserve and it is passed on of generation in generation between the women.

To realize this study, we mobilized at once the traditional theoretical tools of the territorial development and the social capital, because the social factors (social ties, informal exchanges, Nucleus, etc.) influence the territorial development. We also met craftsmen or actors of the territory. Certain craftsmen jewelers even had the kindness to answer a questionnaire, what is not necessarily natural in societies with strong tradition; that they are thanked for it. On 14 craftsmen who answered the questionnaire, 6 still have their company localized in the Commune of Beni-Yenni (Ath Lahcen, Tigzirt or Agouni Ahmed) and 11 declare to have a family origin in this Commune (for the greater part Ath-Lahcen). If we are conscious that the size of craftsmen's sample on which we worked is reduced, nevertheless their answers bring us precious indications on the problems they meet: supply in raw materials, flow of the goods … But to make a report is not sufficient. We also questioned them about the possible solutions to help them. Our conclusions take into account all their ideas, notices… and we hope not to have betrayed them. Certain number of propositions of action concludes this study: certification of the traditional jewels, structuration of a strong professional organization… The " road of the jewel " or the " road of the know-how " we sketch a ready plan (departure from Tizi-Ouzou) must be naturally considered as possible tracks which can be discussed by the actors of the territory and be refined. The role of the academic is only to analyze a situation in a most objective possible way. What is certain it is that Kabylia has considerable valorisable assets, of which the extraordinary hospitality of the inhabitants.

Cécile Perret-Karnot: Abstract – Country planning is a fundamental question not only to reduce the territorial economic disparities but also to anchor poles of art professions, " a concentration of companies of art professions, which maintain relations between them and with the territory " (Kozianski, on 2008) and which participate not only in the local development but also just like a territory. The questions which raise in this article could be formulated in the following way: territories or countries not benefiting from a good tourist image can lean on a specificity to build their attractiveness. Are the ancestral craft know-how a specific resource? How to evaluate it to built an attractiveness on this know-how ? Can the touristic image be based on this specificity to build attractiveness. Our applied studie leans on the algerian Wilaya of Tizi-Ouzou and more particularly on the case of the Ath-Yenni jewelers (Beni-Yenni, Algeria).

Adlis-a iffeɣ-ed ɣer teẓrigin ACHAB. Ad t-tafem di tḥuna di tmurt n Leqbayel.
Published by Achab Editions, at bookstores in Kabylia.

Join us to commemorate the Amazigh Spring and renew our commitments to the ideals of the 1980 movement. It has been 30 years and so much has happened and many things have changed. It is time to reevaluate our stand and look at the future. We will pay homage to those of our beloved ones who made the ultimate sacrifice as well as the untiring who always carried the torch. Join us to join all Imazighen all over the world who today join forces and voices to reaffirm who we are and the ideals of justice and liberty we so cherish.

PROGRAM
Welcome by ACAA and BAC presidents

Exhibition of painted art by artists: Zahir Abid and Hamid Kachmar.

“The Amazigh Spring: A Founding Event” a conference by Dr. Hend Sadi, Professor at université d’Evry val d’Essonne (France) followed by a QA session.

Dinner – Exhibition continues

Gala with up and coming singer and songwriter Ali Amran (Algeria, France) and our very own Gibraltar Band (Washington, DC).

Please help us feed everyone: Because we may end up with more people than expected, we suggest that you bring a dish to share with everyone. Please prepare enough for 2 or 3 people of your favorite dish (entrée, side dish or dessert). Let’s pitch in for a successful Tafsut.

Date and Time

 April 24th  2010, 3:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Place

Ardsley Community Center
2828 Spear Avenue, Ardsley, PA 19038

Admission Fees

Members of BAC and ACAA: $20 (Individuals), $30 (Couples). Non members: $25 (Individuals), $35 (Couples)

Youth 12-18 years old: $10. Free for children less than 12 years of age.

For additional information and to reserve seats, please contact ACAA by clicking here

Asaru nniḍen - Another video.